15 - "She's/he's not my boyfriend!"

For timsleoni

January 1992

Elizabeth and Shane entered the uninspiring military building, with all the other Marine families, glad to get out of the cold January weather. Henry was due back from his deployment in less than 2 hours now and Elizabeth was a complete melting pot of emotions. They ranged from excitement to nerves, fear to desperation and all those feeling accumulated into a heavy feeling of nausea in the pit of her stomach.

She hadn't been much company for poor Shane who offered to drive her here to pick Henry up before they headed back to see their parents tomorrow. Shane sympathised with Elizabeth as best he could, he could tell how deep their love and connection was and he was glad he was booked into a motel tonight rather than crashing on Henry and Elizabeth's couch as he did last night.

Shane went off to get a drink for himself and Elizabeth so Elizabeth sat down as close to the door that her Henry would be entering through in now less than 2 hours. She sat taking in the scene around her, families bonding with tales of struggling with a relative that was deployed however, she sat on her own trying to control her emotions a little.

A brother of a marine eyed up the young pretty blonde that sat on her own. Mistaking her deep breaths for boredom he assumed she was a sister waiting for her brother just like him. He moved closer to her and caught her eye, she smiled at him and he smiled back good sign he thought to himself.

Shane was still at the refreshment table currently in discussion with a couple of people about football however he had noticed that Elizabeth now had company. He kept a brotherly eye on the young man that was attempting to talk to his sister-in-law over the next hour.

Elizabeth was getting fed up of this guy next to her, she wanted to continue to wallow in her emotions but every now and again this young man would try and get her attention. Asking her questions about tv, sports or what college she had gone to. She tried to be polite at first enquiring about him and when he wouldn't stop she changed tactics and started replying with short sharp answers. However, this seemed to spur him on. Elizabeth made eye contact with Shane and beckoned him over and she felt relief when Shane weaved his way back through the crowds to her.

Elizabeth smiled brightly at Shane as he approached and this was not lost on the young man who whipped his head round and took in Shanes large frame. The colour faded from the young mans face as he stuttered "oh god, I'm sorry I didn't realise you had a boyfriend"

Elizabeth snorted as they stood to meet Shane, she supposed she was thankful for this young man because he had taken her mind of Henry's return.

"He's not my boyfriend" she laughed along with Shane, as the young boy looked wildly behind her at the other man approaching.

"No he's not. However, I am her husband" Henry's voice came from behind Elizabeth and she jumped. Her heart thrummed in her chest, all those emotions she was feeling resurfaced and her stomach lept upwards flipping over leaving it in knots.

She turned around to see Henry standing there in his fatigues, slightly tanned and looking exhausted but oh so handsome.

Henry drank in his beautiful wife for the first time in a year. He first noticed her eyes, those bright blue eyes that were shining at him, tears of happiness threatening to fall as she blinked rapidly. Her gentle hands that had now covered her mouth in shock and her blonde hair that was softly curled around her shoulders. He couldn't process anything other than the fact he wanted her in his arms and he moved towards her. Shane and the other young man faded into the background, the only person in focus was Elizabeth as she leapt into his open arms.

Contact.

Finally after a year of sleepless nights, letters and the one phone call she was in his arms again. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her arms wrapped around his shoulders and his big strong arms held her to him in a vice like grip.

Shane and the young man watched this reunion, they watched as the young couples faces buried into each other's necks. They heard proclamations of love and they saw Elizabeth and Henry finally kiss.

Elizabeth had drawn herself away from the safety of Henry's neck and had blindly found his lips. The feel of his skin against hers, the roughness compared to her soft skin. She welcomed the slight burn of his stubble, it made this reunion all the more real. Their lips rapidly moved against each other, both eager to convey their love and devotion in this one kiss. Henry's tongue worked its way to meet Elizabeth's and they gently connected again. Both completely oblivious to their surroundings now, both lost in each other and the feeling of being reunited.

Shane averted his eyes when things started to intensify and the young man turned and walked away wishing that one day he would be lucky enough to find love like that.