Brie had gotten cleaned up and out of the bathroom making sure Lily went potty too. Lugging the bags back on her shoulders she took her daughter's hand and went to ask the nearest staff member where the kids area was. The kind older woman pointed ahead and says its not far and just up the stairs across from the café.
Lily was pulling on her mom wanting to hurry and she got her daughter an apple juice and her a ginger ale to sooth her spinning stomach and they sat at the table and watched the other kids play. Lily was done and up running to play too in mere minutes as Brie leaned back and watched her and held onto Lumpy and her bag and blanket up over her arm.
Brie let her thoughts drift again, remembering so many memories of times at the airports meeting Roman when he came home or seeing him off again on another tour...
She remembered kissing Roman at the airport the next Monday morning. He held her so close and she breathed him in. Nikki is with her at the terminal saying goodbye to Dean at the same time.
Brie thought it must be pretty rare for two best friends to fall for two sisters, twin sisters even, but that was their life. She is really glad the guys had each others backs out there and Nik and her had gotten closer too, both understanding being military spouses so well.
Brie takes the chain off her neck and he bends his head for her to put his dog tags back around him, kissing the metal as she gazes tearfully in his eyes. He lets her wear them anytime he is home and she said even when he was working on the base it made her feel closer to him.
They hug, their bodies molded together like two puzzle pieces, her arms around him under his warm and soft gray coat before he slips it onto her shoulders. She keeps his coat when he's overseas and gives it back when he comes back. It had been their tradition since his first tour.
And...it turned out they did get pregnant on that quiet night just before he left! She was overjoyed and remembers getting him on Skype a month later and holding up the stick.
"We're pregnant Roman! I'm finally having your baby!" Brie squealed and Roman's face lit up like it was Christmas all over again. His eyes shone with happiness as she beamed at him.
"Oh wow Brie, that is amazing! I'm gonna be a dad..." It looked like at first he was just letting the sentence sink in.
And then his eyes widened, the amazing deep darkness of the brown in them so intense as she saw him really take it in, saying it again. "I'm going to be a dad!" He turned and yelled it out at the soldiers around him and Brie heard hoots and hollers and saw someone clap her husband on the shoulder.
Brie saw Dean say a huge congrats and for her to give her sister a hug from her husband. Roman told her Dean carries her sisters picture everywhere and looks at it every night and says a prayer for her looking up at the stars.
Brie assured him she will pass it on. She knew Roman carried a picture of her with him everywhere too. Anything to help him feel closer to her.
She loved seeing his face, finding out he was going to be a dad and it lit her up even more inside. "I wish you were here Rome," she groaned out and he moved closer to the screen, filling it even more with his gorgeous face.
"Damn, Baby girl. There is nowhere I would rather be. I would be spinning you up and around in my arms right now. I love you so much." He breathed that last line out in a lower voice and Brie already felt her body tingling at merely the sound of his lower sexy voice.
"I know Roman. I know. I love you too… and now I have a little tiny 'us' growing inside me," Brie whispered and moved so the screen showed her bare stomach. She heard her precious husband moan and saw him look like kissed the monitor. He pressed his lips to his fingers and then put them on the screen. Brie reached out, putting her fingers on her screen too.
He looked okay but tired, emotionally and physically, from what she could see. His dark, beautiful, long hair was dusty and his cheeks thin, making her wonder how much he ate. He looked like he had aged some and she had no idea the stress he was under and the pressure his job had.
She had always been supportive and loved him through any of his nightmares when he was home, or held him when he cried about kids that had died on his watch. He had seen a counselor for any PTSD and yet came out of any kind of checks with flying colors.
They always said they had each other and when one was weaker, the other would be strong. It had been that way their whole marriage.
Roman had to go and they only got to talk like this a few times a month but it felt so good to tell him about the baby. As much as he wanted to be home for little 'us' birth. That is what they both started calling it since they both wanted to be surprised if it was a boy or girl later.
He was still on tour in 8 months and he watched Brie scream and cry as Nikki held up the phone so he could be as a part of it as possible.
He had talked her through hard contractions and said how proud he was of her. He had said he was imagining holding her hand as she screamed that it hurt so much. He took her full on seriously when she snapped at him to never have sex with her again and that he will never understand this kind of pain.
He had been nothing but patient and soothed her back to calm, with only his words and the tone of his voice as she panted and sweat and cried out in pain to bring their little girl into the world.
Roman had been silent as Brie had held up their baby girl. His were eyes so wide, his hands reaching like he wished he could crawl through the damn screen to be there, kissing her and holding his daughter and his amazingly strong wife.
Brie laid the baby out so he could see every little toe, every tiny finger and he saw how beautiful her eyes were right away. She was born with a full head of dark hair and Brie said she loved to pieces how much their baby looked so much like her daddy, with such long eyelashes and dark hair. She might even get his dark eyes yet when she got older.
Apparently according to her sweet husband, that little girl had her cute nose and later very much her adorable smile and the way she wrinkled her nose when she laughed. But everything else about her was pure HIM.
They had laughed and shared and Roman even talked to her and encouraged her while she tried to feed the squirming newborn and watching in awe and begged to just have her leave the phone on while she or the baby slept just so he could watch them. He would try to get time on the satt phone out there anytime they allowed him and would want to see his girls anytime he could as long as he could. He was in love with his daughter and he had not even held her yet. She could see that love shining in his eyes even through the phone, every damn time.
She wanted to cry out how badly she wanted him there but she did not want him to feel any more guilty than he already did for being halfway around the world. Their baby was born just before Christmas and was due to have been a New Years baby but she came early.
Roman was on leave in a few weeks and was holding his wife and their daughter before their Lily was even 6 weeks old. They named her Lily Anne, after his mother and hers and the older women had been so honored and spoiled their first grandchild like predicted.
Brie looked down now seeing her bulging belly and rubbed it to sooth the constant kicking. The baby sure was active for this time of day. Feeling a chill from the over head fans Brie buttoned up Roman's coat over her belly and nuzzled in deeper in the woolen garment, breathing in the faint scent of him still on it.
She had slept wearing his jacket a lot the last few weeks, missing him and feeling closer to him all wrapped in his thick gray coat, that meant so much to their love story. Brie opened her eyes and slid her arms in the deeper in the sleeves that went past her hands even and snuggled in the coat. She just wanted to hide in his arms, pretending he was holding her and wrapping her tight in his strength. There was no feeling like it.
Lily and her decided to have sandwiches and a piece of fruit for lunch from the café and Brie gets them both a milk to share. It was almost time to board the next plane. They stopped at the bathroom again, washed up and headed towards their gate.
Brie saw the news on one of the TVs they passed. The story was on the war and the soldiers still fighting for freedom overseas. Since Lily had been born he had been home for a full month at a time once a year or so. He had more time home when Lily was only 2 and then really became a hands on dad. Brie had loved having him home, treasuring every little simple moment that was so much more precious with him there and not so far away.
The last time she spoke to him was weeks ago. He had said they were trying to get home for Christmas and were working hard to make that deadline. Brie had just started teaching Lily to skate last year when she turned 4 and now she could not wait for Roman to see how good she had gotten and enjoy skating with both his girls.
His last leave had been in summer and she had been thrilled to find out they were pregnant again a few weeks after he left. Things had been shaping up for him to be home the full year coming home now and maybe it would be his last overseas tour finally. Brie had been praying for that and Roman had said over and over that he was not missing the birth of his baby this time.
Brie spun around fast, to arms coming around her and she studied the face beside hers.
"Nikki! Oh my God. What are you doing here?" Her sister had been waiting for Dean to come back from the same tour and yet it didn't make sense that she was here now.
Her sister hugged her again before bending down and giving her niece a big hug too. Lily had excitedly jumped into her arms. Nikki looked back up at Brie. "I know, I know I didn't need to be but I knew you were flying in...with everyone," she motioned around the terminal. Brie didn't realize how busy it really was and how many little kids were scattered throughout the space at their gate.
Nikki lived on the base with Brie and Roman. Dean was on the same crew so they had always moved together. But she had been out visiting their mom and dad in Tennessee the last while.
Brie hugged her again, turning more to the side to not press her big belly between them. "I'm really glad you are here Nik. Thanks for that."
Nikki nodded and moved to stroke her sisters belly. "Wow, he is wide awake now isn't he?"
Brie smiled, still keeping a tight hold on Lily's hand. "We don't know its a boy yet Sis. Its our little 'us'" she said proudly, loving repeating what Roman called their babies.
"I don't care what you say B. That is a beautiful baby boy in your belly...you'll see." Nikki stretched her jaw. "Yikes quite the tongue twister." She made a face at Lily and offered to take her to get an ice cream before the flight. Brie thought that was a great idea and collapsed with all their bags to the seat closest to her.
She leaned her head back on the window behind her, liking in the feel of the coolness on her head. She was feeling a headache coming on from everything. She heard the TV still tuned to the news station talking about the towns the army had taken back from the radicals. They were checking to make sure things were safe before allowing the citizens back to their lives.
Brie remembered the last time they talked that her husband had mentioned they had only a few towns left to clear of any I.E.D,'s or any kind of bombs or other weapons. They needed to sweep all the buildings and roads in and out of the town for any danger before letting all the town people back. He promised he would do his best to be back by Christmas.
"Just be safe Roman. Please be safe," Brie had breathed out, touching his face on the screen, imagining she was stroking her hand down his cheek. It was almost Lily's bedtime and Brie was already in her lace ribbed red tank top and plaid red and black shorts, her hair up in a loose bun ready for bed too. Her bare feet were crossed in front of her as she leaned back into the pillows on their big four poster bed.
"I always am Baby," Roman replied and leaned closer too, patting his pocket. "I have you and Lily right in my pocket to remind me every minute where my heart is. I will get back to you Sweetie. I promise. And the new little 'us' that I am determined to feel kick, like I missed with Lily. I have missed too much my sweet Brie. Too much."
Brie was crying, maybe just from being more emotional lately with the pregnancy or maybe she could not shake this sense of dread she felt pressing on her heart. "We miss you too. All of us." She caressed her belly and brought the phone to her stomach, lifting her tank top. "Do you hear that? That is your daddy's voice."
She held the screen to her belly and heard Roman groan. "God Brie I am so sorry I'm missing all this. Feeling the first kick again and helping you with your cravings and holding your hair when you are sick. I want to be right there to hold you in bed, feeling those strong kicks at my hand."
Brie sniffled and wiped the tears from her face as Lily walked by the room in her fuzzy, long, soft green nightgown, seeing her crying. Her big brown eyes were wide and she climbed on the bed and reached her arms around her moms big belly and gave her baby brother or sister a hug while hugging her mom too.
And yes, those little eyes did turn the most beautiful shade of brown, just like her daddy's like Brie thought they would.
Roman was still talking and Lily lay her head on Brie's belly listening to him. "Your Mom is a rock-star. Do you know that?" His voice started sounding choked up too and Brie wiped more tears away.
"She is so strong and has been taking care of you and your big sister all my herself. Daddy wants to be there SO badly and he will be really, really soon. You and Lily and Mommy are my world."
Roman's voice was shaking now too and Brie knew he had to be trying so hard to hold back his own tears. God, she missed him SO much she ached.
"Daddy?" Lily whispered and Roman sniffled while Brie moved the phone back to let him see their faces. He was smiling through his tears and Brie just decided to let the tears slip down her cheeks and not try to hide them from their little girl.
"Yes Lily bear. I'm right here," Roman said softly. "I miss you too, SO much. Are you taking good care of Mommy? Being her big helper?" Lily was nodding rapidly at his smiling face. She had been an incredible little helper when Brie needed it.
"I made you a picture Daddy." She ran from the room and was back in a flash, jumping back on the bed and held it up to the phone. "This is me and you and Mommy. And here you are kneeling down in the airport after the big plane brought you back. You are giving me most biggest, gigantic hug in the world!"
"Wow I can see that. You are a really good artist Lily." Roman said and Brie could hear him swallowing hard as he fought through more tears.
The young mom was smiling and in awe of hearing them talking together. She wanted times like this to last forever. Their rambunctious girl laying between them in bed, talking their ears off all about her busy day while they snuggled up. She imagined their heads resting together on the pillows above her head and Lily would peek up when they stole kisses, glaring in her little fiery way to make sure her mom and dad were still listening.
Roman said he would need to go soon and Brie sniffled again not wanting this time to end. She was feeling so emotional right now and had no idea why.
"Daddy, don't forget it is my birthday reaaally soon." Lily reminded him sternly.
"I won't Lily bean, I promise. I am doing my best to be home for your birthday and we can blow out the candles together and open presents and have so much fun! How does that sound?" Roman assured her.
Brie thought he sounded so emotional too and she smiled through her tears at him.
"No presents Daddy. I don't want anything like that for Christmas. I saw Santa, and he's SO not real. I know that now."
"Oh...okay good to know sweetie. Okay no presents." Roman replied and Brie realized she hadn't mentioned her little surprise at that mall seeing that Santa lost his beard in front of a whole group of children and Lily then told her mom she knew he couldn't be real.
"No presents Daddy. Just you...YOU can be my present...okay? That is ALL I want for Christmas, is for my Daddy to be home."
Brie looked around the little girl on her lap, curled up around her baby bump and talking so serious and sounding so grown up. She saw Roman smile and nod, the emotion all over his handsome face. He pressed a kiss to the screen with his fingers and Lily did it back.
"I love my girls...to the moon and back!" he whispered and Lily laughed.
"Till forever and back Daddy. Forever." Lily kissed the screen herself and then jumped down and ran to play. Brie just stared at him, knowing their time was up.
He smiled and she could see more tears running down his cheeks too. "I know Baby girl, I know," he said softly.
She didn't know where all this emotion was coming from but it was coming in floods now. "I'm scared Roman. I don't know why, but I am SO scared."
He shushed her and looked deep in her eyes. "Then I'll be strong enough for the both of us, my precious Brie. See you soon." The screen started flickering and she called out another I love you and he echoed it before it all went black.
A Few Weeks Ago...
Roman had looked up, sniffling again at the blank screen and already missing his wife, his precious little girl and unborn baby. He swiped at the tears and headed back out of the communication tent into the bright sun shining down. His uniform was stifling and he hated having to wear so much just to walk around every day. But he did it for them, for his little family.
However the longer he was here, the longer he dreamed that he could serve his country full time from back in The States. He had been in talks with his supervisors about teaching everything he knew to the younger men coming in. He wanted to retire from active duty more every damn day.
He had too much to live for and nothing meant more than his girls. He thought his dream was to serve his country from here but no, the longer he was away from his family the more he realized they were his dream. He wanted them far more than anything else.
It was bright and early that morning and the sun was already shining far too hot for them to not even be on their way yet. The last few towns were only a few clicks away. He could practically taste the end of his tour in this sweltering country. He had not longed to lay on the ice of 'their' rink more than the last few days. Roman wanted the warmth of her body snuggled up to his while laying on the cool blanket covered ice.
He knew it was almost Christmas but here it was hard to tell one day from the next, let alone when special time like holidays came. Often the bosses would get entertainment, a comedian or music or even the WWE came out on special occasions but this was one Christmas he wanted to be far, far away from here.
They all nodded their greetings and his bestie was already yawning this damn early in the morning and Roman slapped him in the back of the head. They needed to focus and get their job done and move on to the next town.
The ride was bumpy and dusty like always and he squinted through the stuffy air to see the town ahead of them. There were flashes of gun fire and sparks and loud booms further away. No matter how many times he heard it, he would never get used to the sound.
Roman nodded to Punk and Seth. Those two had been his buddies, his sanity in the sea of crazy that being here was. They both had special ladies at home too just like him and Dean and they had each others backs for years now. Roman never felt more secure in such a dangerous environment with them watching his back.
They moved through the town, house by house, street by street making sure things were safe. The gunfire sounded further and further away and Roman was so glad. He knew the army had slowly been pushing back and re taking the towns from the enemy while some teams were still searching everywhere for the higher profile terrorists to take into custody. There was intel that some of them were close by or had been very recently.
They went in two man formation, clearing each house and Seth was with him as they made their way through town. Dean and Punk had found a bomb in what was the towns church and called them in to take it apart. The rest of the day went smoothly, no surprises and the men fell exhausted to their beds.
Roman held up his picture of his girls like he did every night and kissed the smiling faces. Brie and him were laying on the rink where the ice would be but it had been summer at that time and Lily was cuddled up on his chest and reaching her hands up to the camera. Her smile was wide, her eyes shining and looking just like his.
Brie, his everything, his reason for breathing looked more beautiful every day and every time he looked at the picture even, he saw her deep chocolate eyes look like they were searing his very soul with her gaze. She was so so beautiful and yet so shy and bashful and he loved that about her.
With him and Lily she was so silly and goofy and could just be herself. Even with her sister or her friends too. But he absolutely fell in love with the shy and clumsy girl that could not skate and would cling to him for help.
He tucked the picture back in his pocket and closed his eyes, dreaming of being in their bed, curled up to her warm body, so soft and responsive to his every touch. He could see himself snuggling in at her neck, peppering kisses all along her collarbone before he curled up, burying his nose in her silky hair, breathing her in. Sleep came quickly when he allowed his mind to be consumed by her...
The next day went well too, finding more bombs and taking them apart to make the next town safe to come back to. Roman always loved seeing the people back, smiling and thanking them for all their help. Not everyone was grateful but for the most part people saw them as part of the solution and not the cause of more strife in the country.
The following afternoon when they came back to camp, sirens were blaring, and there was a high speed chase on the radios. The units further south said a group of terrorists attacked and commandeered a bus full of kids on a school field trip from a neighboring town. They had killed all but one teacher, tossing their bodies on the road before taking off.
A group of soldiers followed satellite images to give chase and take back the hostages. But the bus had made it to a town the radicals still had control over and they were threatening to kill them all if the Americans did not release one of their leaders that had just been captured and would be on the way to The States to be tried as a war criminal.
Roman got called to the Captain's tent and he knew somehow his team was going to be requested. There was no way they would release any of the recently captured Taliban leaders. That had been a huge victory for the whole war to find some of the elder leaders against them and take them out of play.
But there were kids as young as 5 on that bus, and the one young teacher, a woman barely 20 years old was all the comfort those kids had. How could this end well for anyone? He had been in dangerous circumstances before and kids had been killed due to the enemy's attacks and bombs he had not found in time.
He was right and within the hour they had been suited up and were to follow in behind the other teams that were tasked to take out the terrorists. The men had been heard on the radios that they had two bombs and would set them off if their demands did not get met by midnight.
There was a near silence as the army came in full stealth, and he was so glad his team could stay back till they took out the majority of the enemy in the town. Stepping out of the transport he couldn't see a thing to alert the enemies that they were there. Each street had been checked in sequence and targets eliminated without alerting others nearby. So far no bombs had gone off and they had come in at night, taking people out slowly flanking them and boxing them in.
His leaders said sat images showed a large grouping of people in a central building with numerous bogies around it. The hostages were likely still alive and being contained together.
A low whistle caused him to turn and his sergeant was motioning him forward and held up a phone with blue prints on the screen. It was time. Intel suggested the bombs were with the hostages and the teams ahead of them had just taken out the last sentry around the building.
Roman put his hand on Dean's shoulder and his buddy's hand went on his. Seth and Punk completed the circle. They all had their heads down and Roman closed his eyes. He could do this. He was so close to home free here. There were just a few more towns to clear and this was just a hiccup in that plan. He had been on night raids before and had complete faith in the men around him.
"Let's do this!" he hissed out and nodded slowly at his team. "Home is so close gentlemen. We have done this before. We are going save those kids and still get our asses home for Christmas..."
A/N Two more chapters to go. Please have faith in this story or in me. Its meant to be powerful and intense and deep and emotional and a family story for Christmas.
Thank you so much for the reviews, follows, and favorites. I will post the next chapter mid week and the final one by Christmas!
Have a great weekend. Please share your thoughts.