Three weeks from now Wyatt would be finally coming home. Amy and I were going to surprise him by painting our bedroom a nice brown color. When we first moved into our house he insisted on painting it brown but I opted for a blue color. Of course, it was the color of his eyes.

"Be careful," I warned Amy. She bent down and dipped her brush in the paint before painting the wall.

I took my roller and finished the four walls in about two hours. Amy and I braked for dinner and let the walls dry overnight for the second coat to be put on tomorrow.

"Mommy, where are you going to sleep?" Amy asked me as I tucked her into bed that night after we had watched a bit of TV.

"Do you think we could have a sleepover in here tonight?" I smiled at her.

"Yes! That would be fun!" she exclaimed.

"Ok, you grab a couple books and I'll go put on my pajamas," I kissed her head and disappeared into my room. The paint fumes were bad so I slid open the three windows in there. I grabbed my pajamas and used Amy's bathroom to change in. I brushed my teeth and washed my face before coming back into Amy's room.

"Oh, what books did you pick?" I climbed into her queen size bed. Yes, queen size, Wyatt had wanted to make sure she didn't fall out of bed so he got her a massive one that sat in her room until she made the transition from crib to bed.

"I got Franklin's First Day of School, Madeline, Matilda, and I'll Love you forever," she smiled at me. Those were her favorite books. She loved to read everything.

We read the books in about forty-five minutes. By the end of I'll Love you forever, Amy was sound asleep. I put all the books on her nightstand and laid on my side of the bed. Amy ended up snuggling up to me and I looked down at her.

I reflected on the last two years of my life. Once I fell asleep I dreamed about the day that Wyatt left.

FLASHBACK

"Come on lucy, we have to get to base," Wyatt said.

"I'm coming," I came to the foyer carrying Amy's favorite sippy cup and handed it to her. She was in Wyatt's arms in her little pink dress.

"Ready?" he smiled at me. That smile of his still made me smile on impact but faded instantly.

"I will never be fully ready for this," I looked down at my feet.

"babydoll, look at me," Wyatt pulled me into his free arm. I looked up at him and saw the pain in his eyes. Ever since I heard he joined the army I saw this day coming. I had to remember that if this was hard for me it would be even harder for him, "This is the hardest thing I have ever done. But this is my job. I have to do this."

"I know," I sighed. He kissed me gently and we locked the door and climbed into Wyatt's silver car.

Wyatt strapped Amy into her car seat and we were off.

It was a short ride to the army base. In reality it was only a thirty-minute drive but it felt five minutes. We climbed out of the car. I took Amy out this time so that Wyatt could grab his bag. He had already been in his uniform since eight this morning. As good as he looked in it, it pained me that because of this uniform and his job we might never see each other again.

Wyatt held my free hand as we walked inside. Our families were already there to see Wyatt off. I went over to them as Wyatt went to check in. His parents, my mom, Jiya, Rufus were all ear to wish him off.

"Hi Lucy," Emma and my mother's arms wrapped around Amy and I.

"Hey guys," I said quietly. The tears were already threatening to spill over.

"Oh Lucy," my mom whispered. Emma took Amy from me as my mom wrapped me in a tight hug. She let go of me and Wyatt took me into his arms.

"Please don't cry beautiful," Wyatt rested his forehead against mine.

"You know I'm going to," I said through my tears. His eyes were becoming cloudy and I would tell. He blinked away his tears.

Wyatt didn't say anything but he held me tight for a few minutes. We turned back to our family and he hugged everyone else. He whispered his goodbyes and talked to each of them for a few minutes each. Amy looked as if she wanted to be in Daddy's arms and no one else's.

"Daddy," Amy started to cry.

"Please don't cry princess, "Wyatt brought her over to a bench and whispered words of comfort in her ears. I watched them with a smile on my face. The resemblance between them was heart breaking. I thanked God that I have her as a reminder of him every night until Wyatt was back in our home.

I walked over to them after ten minutes and sat beside him. Amy was clinging to Wyatt tightly as my tears started to fall again. We hugged each other with Amy between us. I could tell she was crying. I kissed her head and buried my head back into Wyatt's neck.

"All military personal please report to the plane," a voice came over the intercom. All the families headed over to the closest we could get to the plane. Wyatt gave everyone one last hug. As he came to see Wyatt and me he let a tear fall. Amy started crying. I knew it was because I was tearing up as well as Wyatt now.

"I love you Amy," he said taking her in his arms.

"I wov you Daddy," she cried. Wyatt held her tightly for a couple of minutes. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. It was a slow kiss but I could feel the love in it. We deepened the kiss briefly since he was holding Amy.

"I love you so much lucy," he said. I wiped away the tears and smiled at him through my own tears. I had never seen him tear up before.

"You have no, absolutely no idea how much I love you," I whispered looking him straight in the eyes, holding onto his face as tightly as I could.

He kissed Amy and I once more. He hugged his mom then hugged Amy and I again.

"Daddy don't go," Amy cried. It broke my heart. She clinged to him as he pulled back. I saw his heart break as he carefully pulled her hands off him.

"I will be back. Don't you worry Amy, I love you," he kissed her nose.

"I wov you Daddy," she copied Wyatt and kissed his nose.

"I love you both," he whispered to me. Amy cried as her Daddy walked away.

I let my tears over take me. I collapsed the ground and clinged to Amy's body. Someone pulled me into a hug and I looked up. Wyatt was kneeling. He pulled out of the hug to cradle my face. He whispered the following words so passionately that it made me cry even more.

"I will come back to you when I'm through with this. My love for you and Amy is all I need to keep me alive in this war."

I stopped crying and looked deep into his eyes. We stared at each other for a couple of minutes.

"Go, do us proud," I smiled through the tears at him and he ran off blowing a kiss back to me.

FLASHBACK END

I woke up from my dream and stared at the ceiling. That day seemed so long ago. Three weeks from now he would be with us. I looked over to the clock and saw that it was 8:30am. I climbed over Amy quickly so I could get out of bed and went to have my shower. After I was ready I went downstairs to make some scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast for Amy and I.

I went back upstairs to wake Amy up.

"Amy baby, you need to wake up," I whispered in her ear. She never did well in the morning.

"Go away Mommy," she pushed my face and tried to pull the blankets over her head.

"Nope, do I need to turn your light on?" I asked pulling away from her slightly.

"Noooooo," she groaned and grabbed my shirt so I wouldn't go turn it on.

"Then get up," I kissed her ear, tickling her.

"No," she said with a hint of giggle.

"Ok then," I said. I picked her up then brought her downstairs and put her in the seat that was getting the most sun at the table.

"You're mean Mommy," she pouted, opening her eyes and looking semi alive.

"No, I let you sleep till 9. If I was mean you have been up at 8:30 with me," I kissed her head.

"Ok," she smiled and started eating her breakfast humming a little tune.

Once we had eaten our breakfast it was time I headed to work.

"Do you want to come with me our go to your aunt's house?" I gave her the option.

"I want to come with you," she pulled on my leg and danced around me.

"Ok, go put on your shoes and we will get going," I smiled at her. I finished washing the dishes and found her patiently waiting by the door for me. I put on my shoes and looked up to see Amy with my purse over her shoulder. It wasn't overly large so she didn't look ridiculous but it was still bigger than she would normally carry around with her.

"Are you going to carry that for me?" I asked her standing up.

"Can I?" she asked me.

"Sure," I laughed.

"Yay!" she jumped up and down and went out onto the front porch. I locked the door and saw that Amy had already strapped herself in.

"Good job princess," I smiled at her. She was becoming more and more independent every day.

"Thanks Mommy," she grinned.

I parked at the back of the shop and we went in the back door. I went and unlocked the front door and changed the sign from closed to open.

Amy went to her regular spot on the couch grabbing a few books on the way. I turned on the computer and placed in orders for new books, paid bills, and all the other stuff that comes with running your own business. The shop was busy today.

The teenagers were more frequent visitors now, they came in to get their favorite books now that their exams were finished with and they had free time. They waved to Amy on their way out as usual. She was popular with them. Amy always asked them what their books were about.

"Bye Lucy! Bye Amy!" my most frequent teen customer Kristy said as she left the shop.

"Bye Kristy, we'll see you soon, that book will probably last you a day maybe," I laughed.

"Probably," she shrugged and laughed as well before leaving the shop.

Around five the shop slowed down. The phone started ringing and I answered.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey Lucy!" Jay's voice filled the phone.

"Hi Jay, where's Wyatt?" I said in a panicked voice. If something happened to him… so help me God.

"Relax, he's sleeping," I heard Jay move the phone and I heard what could only be assumed as Wyatt's loud snoring.

"Believe me now?" Jay asked. Jay was one of my friends' that I knew from the city. We were always put together for play dates when we were younger, that is, until I hated going and would rather hang out with Wyatt. Wyatt and Jay are not on the best terms. They will put up with each other now but they are getting better. I think that both being sent off to Afghanistan at the same time has brought them a little closer together.

"Yes, Jay I believe you," I sighed in relief then smiled.

"So how is it going Lucy? What time is the shop open till tonight?" he asked.

"It's going pretty good; it's open till 6 tonight. How's it going for you over there?" I said.

"It's alright, we have been on base now for a couple days. We are staying here till we come so that there is little chance we will get hit by a road side bomb," he said.

"Thank goodness for that, have you talked to Leah lately?" I asked. Leah was Jay's wife; they lived in same city as us, and had a son the same age as Amy.

"I called her a couple days ago," he said.

We talked for a few more minutes when another customer walked through the door.

"Amy!" a little voice yelled. In ran Jay's son Kyle along with his wife Leah. She gave me a hug and walked over to where Amy and Kyle were engrossed in a conversation on the couch. Amy and Kyle are born two hours apart, Kyle being older. They didn't go to school together because Kyle went to the play group down closer to their house but Leah and I had many play dates for them. We are determined for those two to get married. Wyatt hated it.

"Jay your wife and son just walked in," I laughed.

"Really? Are you two still planning their wedding?" Jay laughed.

"We haven't started to plan yet, it's still in the makes," I said. Leah just laughed from the couch. Leah and I have been talking about their wedding since they were born.

"How many times do I have to tell you dog? My daughter is not marrying your son," Wyatt's voice was heard in the background.

"Tell Wyatt to hush, they are cute together," I rolled my eyes.

"Wyatt, your wife says to shut up and that they are cute together," Jay laughed. I heard a few other guys laughing in the back ground, "He wants to talk to you, hey do me a favor and let me talk to Leah and Kyle before you hang up."

"I will Jay don't worry," I said. I heard the phone being passed to Wyatt.

"Hey Lucy," Wyatt's smooth voice came over the phone.

"Why hello my wonderful husband," I smiled.

"You seem to be in a good mood today," I could tell that Wyatt was smiling.

"I am, I am planning your daughter's wedding," I laughed. Leah shook her head laughing from her place in one of the aisle's flipping through books.

"Please don't Amy, let the poor girl fall in love on her own time, thirty years from now," Wyatt pleaded.

"Wyatt, she's a girl, she is not going start for a husband at 35, we were twenty-four when we got married. Plus, need I remind you that my dad told me I wasn't allowed to date till I was thirty and you didn't listen to him," I said.

"Well then she can date anyone but the dog's son," he said firmly.

"And here I thought you too were becoming nicer to each other," I rolled my eyes.

"We are in general speaking, bring our children into the conversation and I hate him again," he sighed. I heard an 'I love you too Wyatt,' in the background. Clearly it was Jay.

"Ok, Jay would like to speak with Leah now, I love you and I will see you in 21 days," he said happy again.

"I love you too, see you soon. Amy say bye to Daddy," I said.

"Bye Daddy! Love you!" she shouted and then turned back to the book Kyle and she were 'reading'.

"Tell her I love her too."

"I will, Leah, Jay wants to talk to you," I held out the phone and she skipped over to me and took the phone.

Leah only talked to him for about ten minutes before she hung up.

Leah and I moved over to the two leather chairs that were across from the couch and sat there for the next hour talking. The shop was now closed so it didn't really matter.

We said our goodbyes around seven. Kyle kissed Amy when Kyle and Leah we were leaving. Amy blushed furiously as Leah and I high fived each other. I locked the door behind them.

I decided not to ask why Kyle kissed her until we were out in the car.

"Is Kyle your boyfriend?" I asked her smiling.

"Yes," she said quietly while biting her lip.

"He better be nice to you," I raised my eyebrows at her.

"He will," she nodded.

"Ok," I laughed.

We stopped at the diner on our way home for supper. Once we got home we went and painted the second coat of the walls in my room.

"Mommy can we have some ice cream?" she asked me pouting with her big puppy dog eyes.

"Not tonight sweetie, it's a little too late," I smoothed her hair.

"You're not nice," she cried and sat cross legged on the floor.

"Someone is getting tired," I said picking her up and bringing her to her room.

"No, I'm not," she yelled.

"If you don't stop yelling you're not going to go see Kyle on Thursday," I said.

"Yes, I am!" she yelled again. She yelled at me as I set her on the bed.

"No, you're not," I grabbed some pajamas and started to change her. She pinched me and I had had enough. She had never yelled at me before. Some people say that kids go through the terrible twos but she was going through the terrible fours.

I went into my room and grabbed the phone off my bed then went back into her room.

"You are going to call Kyle and tell him you can't come over on Thursday because you weren't being nice to me," I said calmly as I dialed the number.

"No Mommy! Please no! I won't do it again," she grabbed my arm and started crying.

"No, it's too late. You can't do that to people and expect to get away with it," I said before Leah answered the phone, "Hi Leah its Lucy."

"Oh hey Lucy," she said.

"Listen, is Kyle still up? Amy needs to tell him why she isn't allowed to come over on Thursday," I sighed.

"What did she do?" Leah asked concerned.

"She yelled at me and pinched and hit me because I told her it was too late for her to eat ice cream," I explained.

"I'll get him for you, I made Kyle do this a couple months ago and he has not yelled at me since," she laughed.

"That's what I'm hoping for," I sighed again.

Leah gave Kyle the phone and I gave Amy the phone. She cried the whole time she told him why he wasn't coming on Thursday.

She handed the phone back to me and I hung up.

"Now, what do you have to say for yourself," I sat next to her on the bed.

"I'm sorry Mommy," she threw her arms around me and started crying again.

"You're forgiven, but you cant go around hitting and pinching people, you are going to get in trouble one day, and that's no fun," I kissed her head.

"Ok Mommy," she yawned.

I tucked her into bed and went downstairs to watch Lost. It was the season premier tonight. I had recorded every episode that he missed over the past year and put it one a DVD for him.

Since it was a two-hour premier it was eleven by the time it was over and I was tired. I went and changed into my pajamas and climbed into Amy's bed once more. She snuggled up to me and I quickly fell asleep.