DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS.
Just love writing about them!
Chapter Eleven
Six months later I received a letter from Shannon that Leroy was home safely, albeit a bit war-torn. She wrote that it had taken a few weeks for him to relax back into more of the man she knew, though she wasn't able to see much of him during that time.
When she wrote he had just finished up a two days stay with her. They had discussed plans for the wedding and were hoping the following spring would provide a date. Leroy would have to arrange things from his end to narrow down a date.
I mentally made arrangements for gong away in ten months or so. It was just a relief to know he was home and still planning on a future with Shannon.
Having some war experience, even if from the skies, I had a good sense of what he was dealing with. The twister of emotions that filled me was only eased by the security of Marie's love and presence that I clung to. She was truly the pillar of strength I needed to put it behind me and get back to a normal life.
My fears for my son with the Marines as a career were his repeated exposure to wartime situations. Shannon would be the strong base he could come home to. I just hoped he'd allow enough of himself to heal.
Holding on to the scare inevitably inflicted would destroy them regardless of how much she cared for him. I'd watched my son self-destruct too many times, but prayed the love between them would be enough to sustain their relationship through all his deployments.
I sat down to write a letter offering the best advice I could for her to help handle the post conflict reunions. Thinking about how difficult coming home from active duty could be to deal with, I thought she could benefit from my experience. All I could honestly suggest would be for her to be patient in letting him cope with his own demons. Then I began to picture what they might share together.
It was quite possible she would be the one person he was willing to open up to and bare his soul, including all the atrocities he had to see (without the details, of course). I was at least certain their relationship was better than what he and I shared at any time since he was a young boy.
So, I wrote about my excitement for the wedding and thanked her for keeping me in the know. I did wish her luck in seeing him through the tough times ahead and let her know that I was here for her, if she needed some advice. It seemed better to let her come to me, rather than assuming she wouldn't know what to do. She's a brave and bright woman. I think she'll do alright after all.