Moms' POV

She watched her little girl get off the bus and run towards her. The tears flowing down her baby's face made her panic.

"What's going on Nessa?"

Instead of answering the question, Nessa wrapped her chubby arms around her mother and cried some more.

She comforted her baby until it was time to let go. She needed to find an explanation for Nessa's tears.

"Sweetie, why are you crying?"
She disentangled Nessa's arms from her body, and looked her in the eyes.

"Momma, Timothy says I c-can't be s-soldier like my daddy and pa."

She didn't want another soldier in her family. Another death. Another heartache.

First and foremost, she's a mother, so she put her selfish needs aside.

"Nessa don't listen to Timothy. You can be anything u desire. If your dream is to become a soldier, it can happen as long as you chase after." She made mental note to call Timothy's mom.

"But he said soldiers have to be s-strong, and I'm w-weak because I'm a girl." Nessa wailed obviously hurt by the child's words.

"Sweetie always remember this," she paused to look her in the eyes, ''girls are as strong and sometimes even stronger than boys."

The little girl still seemed unconvinced.

"Remember when daddy died," Nessa nodded a yes, ''Did you cry?"

"No, because daddy said to be happy not sad. He said I would
have two angels up in heaven.''

Although her daughter just turned six, she was mature beyond her years.

"That's strength sweetie. The muscles will come when you start working out."

"You're right mommy." Now instead of frowning, she proudly showed her pearly whites.

They walked together towards the house while holding hands.

She listened to little Nessa talk animatedly about her dream.

She silently prayed her little girl would forget about this dream. She couldn't handle losing another loved one.

Fourteen years later
Nessa's POV

"Mom people are looking," she struggles to get out her mom's hold but the lady wouldn't budge.

"Well duh honey they have eyes."

Nessa sure was going to miss her moms' sarcastic remarks.

"Haha very funny mom, but I need to go."

"You still have time to change your mind sweetie." Her mom silently prayed Nessa would take the bait.

"Mom I know it's difficult for you to let me go, but this is my dream. It's time for me to chase after them like you encouraged me to."

"I know I've never told you this before, but I'm so proud of you. Your daddy and pa would also be proud."

"Daddy would probably be holding you and pa would tell me to board the airplane already."

"That's so true. Sweetie promise me you come back safe and alive."

Even without looking, Nessa knew her was crying.

"Mom I won't leave you alone. I'll be back, maybe with a couple of bruises, but I'll come back alive."

"I don't want to let you go honey."

"It's time." Never before had two small words meant so much.

On cue the final boarding call for passengers was announced.

"See you later mom."

Nessa's mom watched her little girl right before her eyes. She might not see her for awhile, but later is better than never.