Chapter 1

Sami slowly woke with tears in her eyes. Looking up at her ceiling realizing that today was the day. Trying to control her breathing so she wouldn't disturb the sleeping body next to her. With his arm wrapped around her waist, she lay there silently as tears trickled down her cheeks.

Stirring from his slumber, EJ felt the body underneath his arm tremble. He could hear and feel Sami release a shaky breath. He knew it was going to be a hard day today. They both knew that the inevitable was going to happen and they wouldn't be able to avoid it. Hugging her tight, he wanted to reassure her that things would not change between them. He loved her and only her. Nothing in the world would change how he felt about his girl. When he made his decision, he had her in mind. He was doing this for his future with her and their family that they planned to have.

Feeling his arm wrap around her waist tightly, Sami turned onto her side, hugging him back. Spilled tears landing on his chest. Sami finally released a silent sob as she placed her head in the space next to his neck. Feeling butterfly kisses on her forehead, she lifted her head to meet his eyes. EJ kissed away her tears and finished his worshipping as he reached her lips. He kissed her softly.

"Samantha" escaped EJ's lips.

Hearing him say her name, Sami started to cry again.

"Don't EJ." pleaded Sami

"Love, I just want you to know. What I'm doing, I'm doing for us."

"How is what your doing for us? It's tearing us apart. The fact that I'm going to wake up alone without you every morning. Having you hold me anytime I want you to, is not going to be an option." Sami confessed as fresh tears sprang from her eyes.

"Samantha, you knew this is what I did before we met. You knew that I would be called back to fulfill my duties again. To finish my extended term and fight for our country is what I signed up for from the get go. you knew all of this when we first became serious."

"I know that, but I'm going to miss you so much. I'm going to be on edge worrying about you until the day you return to me" responded Sami crying. "And I can't help, but hate and love you at the same time. I love you for being so honorable and being the man that you were born to be, but i hate you for all of the same reasons." As she hugged him hard.

"Darling, you know that I'll miss you too. I'll miss every part of your body and dream about every freckle that you have spread across your body. I'll miss your brain for how brilliant you are and your beautiful blonde mane . But we'll get to write letters and emails everyday. Plus, I'll call you at every chance that I get." EJ assured her.

"Promise me one thing EJ."

"Anything love."

"Promise me that you'll be safe. You fight to survive and come back to me." begged Sami.

"I promise darling. You'll be the reason I survive." EJ stated.

Cracking a sad smile, Sami kissed him.

Within an hour EJ had gotten ready. They were both sitting at the kitchen table. Silently holding each others gaze, with their fingers intertwined with one another.

"I love you, you know that right?" EJ asked.

"I know you do." Sami cracked a small smile, as tears welled up once again.

EJ couldn't help, but think that she looked the most beautiful when she was happy and sad at the same time. She was his girl and she was the sole reason he was going to get through this war.

They heard a car drive up and the sound of a horn a minute after.

"Brady is here to pick me up." EJ said in a low tone.

"I know." Sami's lips trembled as she acknowledged.

EJ got up and went over to Sami. Placing both hands on her cheeks, he pulled her face into his and gave her a soft kiss. EJ thanked Gawd that they made love the night before. He got something to remember during a time that he'll need it the most.

Sami responded to his soft kiss as EJ pulled her up into a hug.

"I love you baby." EJ whispered against her porcelain cheek.

"I love you too EJ." as another sob escaped Sami's quivering body.

EJ released Sami, picked up his bag and opened the kitchen door which led to the driveway.

"EJ, wait." Sami plead as EJ took on step down the three step stairs.

EJ turned and looked at Sami.

"Ple-please EJ, please ki-kiss me hard be-before you go." Sami cried as she fought to breath through her uncontrollable sobs standing in the doorway.

EJ climbed back up that one step. Placed one hand behind Sami's head, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulled her into him. He looked into her clear blue orbits and kissed her, hard. Sami opened her mouth to give him passage. Their tongues intertwined. Sami held onto EJ knowing that this could be the last, but hoping that he would soon return into her arms, where he belonged. She could feel it in her heart that he will.

"Please Gawd, take care of my Elvis." Sami prayed as they kissed.

Hearing another beep from Brady's horn. EJ released Sami's lips. "I have to go now. Samantha, I need for you to promise me something." it was his turn to plead.

"Anything." Sami responded still with her eyes closed affected by EJ's parting kiss.

"Promise me that you'll be strong when I'm away. No matter what, know that I'm coming back for you. If something is to happen to me, promise me that you'll take care of yourself." EJ requested as his eyes welled up with tears.

"No EJ, no, don't say such things. You're going to come back home, to me. There's not a chance in hell that you're going leave me here alone in this world without you. If something is to happen to you, I'll find my way back to you, even if it means death." Sami stated with conviction.

EJ was going to argue, but Brady's horn went off again. EJ looked over at Brady's car then back to Sami. "Samanthar, I'm not going to argue because I don't want to leave here on a sour note. Just know that I love you. I'll think of you each night and each morning. I'm doing this for us and our future. Take care of yourself until I return."

Sami nodded in agreement as he pulled her into another searing kiss. He then released her. He turned around and got into Brady's car. As Brady backed up out of the driveway, Sami and EJ kept their eyes glued to each other. EJ blew Sami a kiss through the window and Sami returned the same gesture, but she couldn't control her sobbing. Once Brady's car was fully backed out of the driveway, Sami had the sense that this was it. EJ is going to be gone for another year or more. She fell to her knees at the doorway, sobbing. Her heart ached and knew that it would not stop until the day he returns to her.

TBC