Chapter Ten
In Afghanistan...
Drew actually laughed.
More videos of Skylar came in last night.
Skylar practicing her animal noises, climbing up the slide by herself and running around the backyard. He missed her terribly but to see her happy even without him did him well.
When he talked to Rick and Skylar the previous night she had seen a "camo" at the zoo and it had two humps on it's back. She had held up two small fingers to show it. When Drew asked her if the camel was stinky, she winkled her nose and nodded. She also showed him her tiger ears from the zoo. Skylar fell asleep after her short chat with Drew; the husbands talked some more. How both were crossing off the days on the calendar till Drew came home. Drew didn't care who heard him tell Rick how much he missed him and wished time would go faster.
Trying not to tear up Rick told him he missed him too, that he wasn't getting away from him for at least a week when he got a hold of Drew again.
"Just a week, huh?" Drew smiled.
"That's if you behave yourself. I have a feeling you won't."
With "I love you" both touched the screen before signing off.
In San Antonio..
Their friends wondered whether having been a soldier and knowing first-hand was seeing and experiencing helped or hindered Rick. Knowing what his husband faced maybe caused less frustration in their conversations than if he hadn't been through the situation himself. But the same knowledge also made him worry more despite knowing what a skilled soldier Drew was. In a place like Afghanistan that didn't matter.
Luck was what got one out alive.
Everyone was hoping Drew would have that luck.
Four months Later..
Rick could barely contain himself.
In less than 24 hours Rick would have Drew in his arms.
He didn't realize how much sooner that was. He had talked to Drew when he had landed in Germany. What Drew didn't tell Rick on purpose was he was able to catch a flight home ten hours earlier. He hoped to surprise his husband and child.
And that he did.
Skylar was taking her nap when Drew ever so quietly entered the house. No one heard him. Rick was on the couch reading book when he did hear something. The expression on his face was priceless. For a moment the man froze.
"Drew! W-what are you doing here?"
"I live here," Drew said.
Rick's freeze ceased and he ran, practically jumping into his husband's arms. Their reunion kiss lasted almost two minutes before they came for air.
"I take it you like your surprise," Drew smiled, still holding Rick. "This is just for you. No one else knows I'm here yet."
Drew's heart burst when after six months Skylar recognized him.
He entered her room when she woke up from her nap, not really knowing what to expect. The squeal of "daddy!" and her jumping up and down made him lose his composure.
"Hi baby," the words choked out of his throat as he held his daughter for the first time in months. "Daddy missed you so much."
"Da-da home!" Skylar said, grabbing Drew's shirt.
"Yes," Drew said. "Daddy's home. You've gotten so big!"
Rick let his daughter and husband have their moment together. When the two came from the room Skylar in Drew's arms, excitedly pointed to him and said "it's da-da!"
"She didn't forget me," Drew said emotionally.
"Oh course she didn't, babe. No one was going to let that happen," Rick said.
He wasn't taking any visitors today but Drew let his sister and friends know he was home safe. He would have happily seen his little sister but she wouldn't be home from Dallas until the following evening. He, Rick and Skylar had all day and night alone. How much Skylar had grown in the time Drew was gone was amazing. She was talking in sentences, could count to three and knew her colors. After the three ate lunch Skylar insisted she and Drew play in the backyard—and Rick wasn't letting his man out of his sight. Part of him still couldn't believe Drew was here. Most of the day Skylar ignored him, insisting Drew change her diapers and give her a bath that evening. Rick understood her mindset, if he were her he'd have done the same. After hugs and kisses from both daddies and extra reassurance from Drew that he would be here when she woke up. Skylar fell asleep in her crib.
The two made up for the last six months apart that night.
"I'm so glad you're back," Rick whispered to Drew as they both fell asleep.