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“So is Luke…”
“All of the children are nodding off…”
“And,” Lily smiled at her husband, John, “On that note? We are leaving to let you get settled and collapse in a boneless heap. If you need any help, need anything at all, just shout.”
“Thank you again,” June replied as she thanked each of them, giving out her cell number and business cards, while they walked out the door. “Mr. Martinez, check your email – I sent you three listings that I think will work for you and Laura.”
“Will do,” the man smiled, nodding, and shook her hand. “Thank you, June. We’ll talk soon.”
No sooner than she closed the front door, her cell phone rang.
“June Selkirk, realtor. How can I help you?”
“Ohhhhmygosh… That sounds so good,” Ian gushed on the phone, laughing happily. “I swear that is the best sound I’ve ever heard, and do you know just how much I love you? I FREAKIN’ LOVE MY WIFE… June, oh mercy, June…”
She laughed softly and hesitated as his voice trailed off, shaking.
“I’m really partial to my new name, husband.”
“Darn straight,” he said emotionally, and she paused. “Because it’s beautiful and meant to be, Minx. You hear me? Any doubts you have – chuck ‘em – because I love you more than life itself, and I swear I am going to make you happy.”
“Ian, honey, what brought…”
“Aww, you called me ‘honey’?”
“Ian, what is going on that is causing all of this – because I should be the one yelping in excitement. I cannot believe you arranged for your friends to come help me move. Everything is out of the other place and in our new home. I’m just stunned that you are simply so incredible and good to me, you know?”
“Good.”
“June – thankyoufor being amazing… and my gift. I’m just floored – and so incredibly grateful to have you in my life.”
“Oh!” she smiled knowingly, blushing wildly. “I just wanted to give you a reason to keep safe, and something for you to look forward to back home.”
“On that note? Can we talk for a second?”
“Yes?”
“My re-enlistment is up in a few months, and I thought maybe, if you wouldn’t mind? That we could talk about me coming home. I want to spend every day with you, for us to have a family someday, and… I’m not trying to push you, June. We can wait – but I really want to be close to you, and it’s hard to have a relationship through email. I want to hold my wife.”
“Yes,” she replied, closing her eyes against the emotions sweeping through her.
She was so tired of being alone, and wanted to laugh again with him. All the wildness, the outrageous comments, just his flair for life… she wanted to bask in it. The idea of taking children trick-or-treating, opening Christmas presents, a Thanksgiving with their families, or him sitting on the floor teaching a toddler to walk, just made something visceral within her flare to life.
“Are you sure?” she whispered nervously, knowing his entire life would change… for her.
“Baby, I’ll plant the roses for you just so you don’t get scratched,” he promised softly. “I’ll find a job when I get home… or get two jobs, if I have to. I just really want us to have a chance to start - and I want you to be able to get to know me better. I want you to fall in love withmesomeday.”
“Yes. I want everything, and you mentioned a family…?” her voice trailed off, but even she could hear the want in her voice.
“Say the word and I’ll make it happen,” he rasped hoarsely. “When you are ready, just say the word, my love. I’m in no rush, but…”
“Ian, Iwantto,” she whispered softly, and heard his intake of breath. “I love how you make me smile, how you make me laugh. I want to know what it’s like with you when we are alone and…”
“Honestly? I have a confession to make,” Ian hesitated and she heard his nervous laugh, treasuring it. “I talk a lot of smack, but man-o-man… it’s gonna be awful the first couple of times. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, but it’s gonna be really bad, so let me just apologize now to you.”
“Why do you say that?” June was already laughing at his words; her heart was warm within her chest and bursting with love. She adored the way he made her laugh and created this light-hearted aura around him, making her just feel wonderful. “You’ve been bragging about yourself all this time and…”
“I may have exaggerated,” he whispered in a hushed breath. “Can you hear me?”
