Six Days Later

It was time to go back. Stephanie had me walking around a lot in the past week so my leg had gotten a little bit better, but now, I was back in my army uniform, the formal one of course. After all, until I was fully recuperated I was staying back at base. Stephanie insisted that I at least use my crutches for a little bit this morning so I did. Her parents were coming over after getting Shane and his wife to pick me and Stephanie up. I was scared to go; I didn't want to leave Stephanie behind. We had grown extremely close over the last week. I knew that it was upsetting her that both her brother and I were leaving at the same time. She walked into my bedroom, still wrapped in a towel and I smiled. God was this woman beautiful.

"It's time for the Soldier Man to leave. He can't look while I get changed." She said, turning to face me. I smiled and held my hand out.

"Come here," I said. She shook her head and I raised my eyebrows.

"No?" I asked. Stephanie grabbed her clothes and went back into the bathroom. She was upset, I could tell. I sighed and made my way over to the bathroom door.

When Stephanie came out, she pressed her lips together. I placed my hand around her waist and pulled her closer to me.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm giving you a hug Beautiful." I said, pressing my lips against her temple.

"Well, don't. I have to finish getting ready." She said. I pulled back and looked at her. Tears were welled up in her eyes and I pushed my hair back.

"Give me a kiss," I said, bending my face down and pressing my lips against hers. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me closer to her.

"Paul," She murmured against my neck. I sighed and pulled away from her ever so softly. I wiped her eyes with my thumb and kissed her again. Then I lifted her up and rested her against the wall.

"Don't go," She whispered. I knew I wasn't supposed to hear her and the guilt ripped through my body.

"I'm a Soldier, I live to serve our country," I said to her.

"Promise me you won't bring up the idea of reenlisting?" She said. I shook my head and kissed her again.

"And force myself away from you even longer? Of course not," I said. She smiled and nodded her head.

As we walked into the airport, I saw that Stephanie was shaking nervously. She was holding my beret tightly in one hand and had my hand gripped in her other. I was walking in with her family and I was hoping that my family had remembered to show up. I hadn't exactly spent a lot of time with them in my time off but I had talked to Mom every single day. I had told her that I was getting deployed this afternoon, I know I had.

"Uncle Paul!" A little voice called out. I looked around and then I saw my Mom and Dad, my sister and my nephew and niece, Peter and Neysa. I smiled at them and Stephanie let go of my hand.

"That's Sergeant to you Cadet Ouellette!" I called out as my seven year old nephew ran forward. He stood in front of me and saluted me and I saluted him back.

"Go get your baby sister and bring her over here too," I said. Peter nodded and I looked back at Stephanie.

"Now it's time to spend with your family. I'll see you soon Sergeant Levesque," Stephanie said, lifting up to kiss my cheek. She pressed a letter into my hands and I smiled at her.

"Stay," I whispered. She shook her head and disappeared after her family.

"Hey Mom, hey Dad," I said as they approached.

"Who was that lovely lady with you?" Dad asked.

"That was Stephanie," I said, looking at the envelope in my hands. Dad slapped my shoulder and pulled me into a hug.

"Can I just... just have five minutes alone?" I asked. Dad nodded and I hobbled over to a seat.

Letter # 2

Dear Soldier Man,

Today is the day that both you and my big brother leave me to once again serve for our country and defend the innocent people that live among us. You said that we could write letters to each other and that's what I want to do. We have grown so close this past week and I never want to lose you from my life Soldier Man.

I want to tell you something big but I know you are going to react weirdly so I don't want to do it face to face.

I love you.

I know, that I have only known you for a week but I can feel it Paul. I want you to be my Soldier Man for the rest of my life. You already have my heart; I want to know if I can have yours too. I'm going to miss seeing you around Soldier Man. I'm gonna miss your gorgeous, sexy smirk and how I always get my way with you. I'm not making out as though you are a pushover; you are just the most wonderful man in the world.

Stay safe Soldier Man, and get back to me quickly.

I love you,

Stephanie

I looked around to try and see Stephanie and I couldn't see her anywhere.

"Where did McMahon go, did you see him Dad?" I asked.

"Is he the guy with Stephanie?" Dad said. I nodded my head and he pointed in a certain direction.

"Come with me." I said to my family. I limped after Shane and I finally called his name out.

"What's up Sergeant?" Shane asked.

"Where's your baby sister?" I said.

"She's uh, over there with Mom and Dad." Shane said. I nodded and walked over to them.

"Mr and Mrs McMahon," I said, greeting their parents. They both nodded their heads and I moved past them to where Stephanie was standing at the window staring out there. I walked up to her and wrapped my arms around her tightly.

"I love you too," I said.

Stephanie turned around and looked up at me.

"You don't have to say that just because you read my letter." Stephanie said. I pressed my lips against hers and I sighed happily. Stephanie's lips were soft and warm and I loved kissing her. I curled my hand around her cheek and felt her hand running through my ponytail. Finally she pulled away and I held her in my arms.

"I said that I loved you too because I do." I said. Stephanie smiled and placed my beret on my head.

"Now you look like the perfect Soldier Man." Stephanie said. I smiled and pressed my lips against hers again. I lifted her up again and she squealed in protest. I carried her over to where our families where standing and Shane smiled.

"You guys look so happy together." He said. I nodded and smiled at him.

"I am happy with her." I said, placing her down on her feet.

"Let's go!" I heard the Major yell. I nodded my head and watched as Shane kissed his wife. I looked down at Stephanie and kissed her again, this time slipping my tongue in her mouth and trying to explore every crevice.

"Sergeant Levesque!" I heard Major Reynolds bark. I jumped away from Stephanie and turned to face him.

"Hurry up with your pretty girl there now." He said. I nodded and looked down at her.

"I love you," I whispered. Stephanie smiled and kissed me again.

"I love you too," She replied. I nodded and gripped onto her hand as I turned to face my family.

"I'll see you in six months!" Dad said. I nodded my head and smiled as both he and Mom hugged me. Next up were Pete, Neysa and my sister, Lynn. Stephanie let go of my hand and, with one final wave I walked away from everyone that was important to me in my life.