29 - Welcome home

Katie was waiting for him, smiling when he arrived back at base. She held a sign with Welcome Home written in colorful letters. He could see her tears. She was probably crying, because he had come home and Paco never would. She looked beautiful, and he missed her so damn much. Gathering her in his arms, he held her.

"I missed you." His voice cracked as he too had tears. She smelled like home and his heart raced.

She didn't pull away, but held him tight like she couldn't let go. "Me too. More than you know."

She pulled back and looked at his face. He needed a shave, and she put her hand on his cheek. He kissed her forehead, but really wanted to kiss every other part of her, starting with her lips.

"I..." He froze. "I want to hear about everything you wouldn't tell me while I was gone."

She frowned and nodded. "At home. I have a special dinner planned."

She looked healthy with tanned, and still too skinny, but not like in the months after Paco.

"Did you get your haircut? It looks beautiful."

She rewarded his compliment with a gorgeous smile. Her smile was meant for him and he felt it deep in his heart.

The bungalow felt like home. He would always love this little house, because it was where Katie healed. It was here she found her smile and her laugh.

Looking around, he noticed a few changes. There was a new knitted blanket on the sofa. "You finished." It was blue-green, and he ran his hand on it. "It's soft."

"It's the color of the ocean. I've been knitting a lot. It's therapeutic. Are you hungry?"

He nodded. "I'm hungry and tired, but I really need a run." He needed to settle his emotions. Seeing and holding her had sent his desire into overdrive.

"Go. Food will be ready when you come back."

"Okay. Thanks, Luce. It's so good to be home with you. I missed you."

"I know. I missed you too. I'm really glad you're home."

He changed out of his dirty, sweaty uniform. He had been traveling for hours, although not nearly as long as when he returned to Georgia from Korea. He needed to move his muscles and organize his thoughts.

After counting years and months, he was weeks away from the end of his commitment. Reaching this milestone without Paco was bittersweet. He was free to plan his future when his friend couldn't. Now Tom wanted the future that had been meant for Paco.

He ran fast and hard on his regular route. It was too early to call his brother and too late to call his mother. He had sent both a text when he landed. Once home, Katie frowned at him after he lifted his shirt off and wiped the sweat off his face.

"I know I'm hitting the shower. Don't worry."

"I wasn't worried." She called back at him.

When he came out of the shower, the table was ready. It smelled delicious, and he recognized the meal she prepared.

"Roast chicken. Just like the meal you made me years ago. Thank you."

"I hardly cooked without you."

They sat and ate the familiar meal. Tom was certain it tasted even better. When he told her, she blushed and his heart rate increased. He breathed deeply and listen to her talk about the little things he missed.

"I know you must have been lonely."

She nodded. "Laurie did her best to prevent it. I'm going to miss her."

He realized she was talking about when they returned to Georgia. "We need to find a place to live."

"We?" The word came out like a sigh.

"We. You're my wife and we stick together until you decide you don't want to be with me."

She shook her head. "I keep waiting for you to decide that about me."

"Never. Luce, I always want you with me. I wish things were different."

"Different? Always?"

"I'll say it once and then we can forget it and go back to the way we've been."

"What? You're scaring me."

He took a deep breath and released it slowly. "I wish you were my real wife, and you wanted me as your husband."

"You do? Why?"

"This is hard to admit because I don't want to ruin everything. I love you and have for a long time."

"I know that."

She looked disappointed. What had she wanted him to say?

He shook his head. "Not like my best friend, more than anyone ever."

"More than anyone, including Tori." She had tears dripping down her cheeks.

"Don't cry, Luce." He reached for her hand.

She shook her head. "More than Tori. I can't say more than... but Laurie helped me understand it's okay to love again. Maybe not more than, but as much as."

"What are you saying?"

Her breath caught with a sob. "I love you as much as I loved him. You are a different man and..."

"You what? Are you in love with me?"

She nodded her head over and over. He stood and pulled her to her feet and flush against him. Reaching up, he caressed her cheek and wiped her eyes. He gazed at her lips and she parted them slightly. He couldn't hold back. He pressed his lips to hers softly. He was afraid she would think of another man's kisses.

She reached her arms up and looped them around his neck, pulling his lips against hers. He lost control and devoured her. She seemed to be intent on doing the same to him.

When they pulled away, she said, "Am I dreaming?"

"Not unless I am. I have loved you for longer than I ever had a right to."

"How long?"

"It started in Hilton Head."

She gasped. "That was so long ago, but you helped me and him to stay together."

He nodded. "I would never get between you, just like I would never stop you from grieving. I only wanted to help you. I never thought you would feel for me too."

She laughed. "You are an amazing, unselfish, caring, beautiful, sexy man, as Laurie says a woman would have to be dead. I was dead, but you and this island nursed me back to life."

"He knew I loved you. He told me in that last email when he knew he might not come back. I didn't understand at the time what he was saying. I just thought he wanted me to look out for you."

She sobbed. "He told me he loved me and he trusted you to take care of me."

"Maybe he wanted this. I hope so because I can't stop loving you. You're my life."

He kissed her, savoring her taste with her body, the one that had been tormenting him, pressed against his. He rested his hand on her hip. He wanted to dance with her in Bea's ballroom. He wanted to bring her home and together wish to love each other forever in the fountain.

She looked at him. "I feel like you're really my husband."

"I never would have married you if I hadn't loved you. You can take your time. I don't expect you to want to be my wife right away."

She blushed. "Did you finish eating?"

"I think so."

"I bought you ice cream."

"I love you." He smiled at her. "I'll help clean up and then we can sit together." He remembered the other roast chicken dinner.

"You don't have to. You traveled."

He lifted plates off the table. "You cooked."

"I already did most of the dishes. I wanted to spend time with you, not in the kitchen."

She put the leftovers away while he loaded the dishwasher. When they sat down, he took her hand. "You're beautiful."

"Says the man who stripped off his shirt and made my knees weak."

"You frowned at me."

"Only because I never thought you would like me enough."

"I wanted to tell you before I left but was afraid."

"I never thought you were afraid of anything."

"Only loving you."

"I'm afraid to go home."

"Why?"

"The memories are there and I don't want them to ruin this."

"Nothing can ruin us, if we love each other. You've been my best friend for years. We've survived the worst thing imaginable and have lived together. We can live anywhere, but your father is in Augusta. I could get a different job, but that's where my reserves will be for three years."

"I know. I don't want to live in that complex."

"We'll find something."

He leaned over and kissed her. She put her hands on his chest. He felt their warmth through the thin cotton. When she moved her hands around his waist, he had to reach out to stop himself from falling on top of her as she fell back on the sofa. Resting on his elbows on either side of her head, he slipped his fingers into her soft hair. If he straightened his knee, he would lie on top of her. Breaking their kiss, he sat up before he did just that.

He looked at her face. She gazed at him as if daring him to come back. He wanted her so much it was painful.

He groaned. "Maybe I should sleep out here."

"Why?" She pouted.

"Because everything is different. Holding you won't be enough and I promised you."

"You'd wait until I was ready. What if I am ready?" Her voice shook.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I want to be your wife."

She screeched and giggled as he abruptly picked up her light body and carried her to their bed.

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