Growing Attachments
Troy was back to work after fully recovering from the bullet wound to his right side he had received in Korea. He had been shipped back to a Washington D.C. hospital while he convalesced. During that time, he had reconnected with the widow of an old friend, who was an old friend herself. Lillian (Lily) had visited with him in the hospital, and they had been seeing one another, as friends, for several months. She was still grieving the loss of her husband and found Troy to be someone she could speak freely with since they shared many common memories. Troy was grieving as well, but he was also conflicted about his growing feelings for Lily.
He knew it was too soon to become involved in a more personal relationship and he often felt like a heel for wanting more. George had been a good friend, and Troy harbored a lot of guilt for desiring a deeper connection with Lily. Old feelings were definitely rekindled, and he felt drawn to her in a way he hadn't experienced in a very long time. He was already in love with her newly six year old son, John and almost three year old daughter, Maggie. He had accompanied John to a father-son event at his school and Maggie loved to sit in Troy's lap and snuggle next to him. He longed for a family he could call his own but was letting Lily set the pace.
Lily was having similar feelings. Sam was so easy to talk with and she felt he understood when she spoke about George. She was drawn to the handsome Captain and fondly remembered their times past. He was so good with the children, which somewhat surprised her. He didn't try to force a relationship with them, just let it unfold naturally. John had been feeling angry and left out when his school announced the Father/Son event. She had suggested taking one of his grandfathers, pointing out that others had dads actively serving in Korea. John had suggested Troy instead and had been thrilled when he agreed. She watched as Maggie spent more and more time in Sam's lap, thumb in mouth and clutching her security blanket. She believed her daughter found safety and security that she would have normally had with her father. She was so young when George had been killed and unable to verbalize about her loss.
Like Troy, she was cautious about him getting too close, too soon with her children and herself as well. She also felt the guilt and sense of betrayal to her late husband. He had been a wonderful husband and father, and she was conflicted in so many ways by this new relationship with an old friend.
Occasionally they would discuss it together and both agreed they needed to take things slow. She didn't want her children confused if the relationship didn't work out. It would be like losing their father all over again. Both were also aware their growing attraction might stem from their shared loss. Was it actually real or just a result of circumstances and grief? They needed to take whatever time was necessary to make sure if their feelings were valid.
In a few weeks Troy was returning to Korea. This time to remain stationed at headquarters and not near a battlefield. Suddenly, it seemed more acceptable for him to do so. Perhaps because he felt he had someone waiting for him to return and someone making him anxious to return in one piece. He didn't have that before. He worried that Lily might not want to wait for him, too concerned that she might lose him the way she had lost George. It might be too much to ask or expect.
Troy knew her grandparents were worried about their growing relationship. They felt it was too soon and too sudden. They had no objections to Troy and enjoyed his company, but their concern was for their granddaughter and great-grandchildren. They had already been through so much pain and sorrow. They didn't need another trauma. Troy knew they had cautioned her but trusted her judgement. Lily's parents had also raised some concerns but didn't interfere. George's family knew she had been seeing an old friend, but they knew nothing about a more-than-friends connection that was brewing.
It was with sadness, Troy said goodbye to John and Maggie. He promised to write and send them something from Korea. They hugged him tightly and said they would miss him. Troy and Lily went to dinner together and expressed their thoughts about where they were in their relationship and how this separation would affect them. Both were somewhat melancholy, so Troy surprised her by taking her dancing. He was no Fred Astaire but thanks to Isla, his skills on the dance floor had greatly improved.
When he escorted her to her door at the end of the evening, he knew it would be months before seeing her again. He was leaving very early the next morning, so these were their last moments together until he returned. Hoping against hope, he took her in his arms. She didn't object and together they shared their first real kiss. And several others. Both could feel the yearning for something more, but the time wasn't right. They said goodbye with a final kiss and Troy quickly returned to the waiting taxi, his thoughts filled what might unfold in the future.