What I own: A packet of custom blended strawberry chocolate tea, six pairs of glasses and a rhinestone encrusted phone case.

What I don't: Rookie Blue. Not mine. Nope. Although I do love to play with them. I promise to return them all mostly okay.

Author's Note: So, this happened. Thank you all so much for all of your support and kind words. Not even lying, I do a happy dork dance every time I get an alert. I'm more than a little awed about how awesome y'all are, for real. This one is for MD14 and RadleyBoo because they wanted more words and who am I to say no? The song for this chapter is "Summertime" by My Chemical Romance because reasons. Reviews make me grin like a movie star and are rewarded with copious babble and thanks. I hope y'all enjoy!

The night breeze was cool as it blew across my face, catching the ends of my hair with it and blowing them in front of my eyes. It blocked my already limited view of the yard and I tugged the light blanket tighter around my shoulders as my bare foot pushed easily off the painted floor of the porch before tucking it underneath me.

It was a beautiful fall night, the stars twinkling overhead and the scent of autumn hanging in the air, that crisp, rich blend of leaves and smoke bringing back memories of childhood camp outs and long weekends spent in the country.

I tightened my grip on the blanket and inhaled deeply, desperate for even the slightest hint of the familiar scent that clung to the soft material.

The moonlight caught my hand as I moved the stones on my ring glittering in the silvery blue light and I felt, not for the first time, that familiar pang in my chest, accompanied by so many thoughts, swirling rapid fire through my mind. It all boiled down to one thing though, the myriad of questions, of phrases, all turning into one thought that haunted me: What if he doesn't come home?

It had been over a month since Sam had left on what he had promised would be his last UC, thirty seven days, to be exact. Not that I was counting.

Thirty seven days since I had held him, touched him, even heard his voice.

Thirty seven days of worry and fear of wondering when he would come home.

I knew that it was what he loved, what he did and I didn't fault him that, I couldn't because I was the same way about my job, it was my life.

But the uncertainty, the not knowing, the jumping every time the phone rang it was worse than I had anticipated. But I still understood.

I stared up at the stars, a smile pulling at my lips as a small flash zoomed across my vision. My eyes closed automatically, the childhood tradition coming back to me all of a sudden, and I whispered my wish, barely audible into the dark night.

"You know if you say it out loud it won't come true." The voice drifted to me from the darkness by the tree at the side of house and I almost felt my heart stop. I could hear the smile behind the words even if I couldn't see it. He was home.

I didn't think, just threw my blanket down and jumped out of the swing and ran down the steps. The ground was cold and the bare leaves crunched beneath my feet as I flew across the small space and threw myself into the familiar, open arms.

I didn't realize I was crying until his rough thumb gently brushed across my cheek, swiping the tears away.

"You miss me Sweetheart? You didn't mind waiting? " He mumbled against my head and I pulled back to meet his gaze. I narrowed my eyes, pushing playfully against his shoulder, unable to hide my smile.

"Every single day."