Five years of letting writing, video messages, picture taking, and ten minute phone calls took forever. The phone calls got delayed as time went by; it started off as one a week, then every month, and then every three months, until the point where absolutely everything was put on hold – the letters, the video messages and the photo sharing.

Kim was spending more days worrying about her future husband and even wanted to buy her own ticket to where he was stationed. Out of habit, she started working more days, putting her entire body in exhaustion so when she went home, all she could do was fall sleep.

Gerald spent his five years fighting. He wasn’t fighting for the good of his country, but he was fighting hard enough which would ensure his safe return. Thinking about Kim was the only thing that let him sleep at night. Bombs setting out at almost every turn, cries heard through the windows, some of his men in a state of shock; it was really hell on earth.

Getting into the marines seven years ago seemed like a good idea at the time, and it have him some sort of pride knowing he was able to survive in the worst of conditions, but knowing that he had a life waiting for him back at home made him rethink everything about what he learned seven years ago. He was surrounded by his old crew and new people who were so naïve. They thought that fighting for their country was the expected thing to do; what they didn’t understand was that this was no longer a war that involved the lives of the citizens, it was a war dedicated to the officials. Hundreds of men died every day, and one day it could’ve been Gerald, but he fought. He didn’t fight because of what everyone else believed in – the good of their country – he fought to return to the safety of the woman he loved.

Kim woke up one morning to someone banging on her front door. It was Saturday and she worked every day for the past two weeks. It was her first day off in two weeks, and all she wanted to do was stay in bed all day and sleep; sleep until she needed to start all over again.

She stomped downstairs in her sweats and eyes behind shades. “What!” She sighed loudly at the sight of Marissa.

“He’s coming home!” Marissa exclaimed. “His mom got a phone from his Colonels and they’re sending him home!” She walked into Kim’s apartment without an invitation. When she did, she saw four crossed out calendars. “Wow, when you said counting down the days, you weren’t kidding.”

Kim’s cheeks flushed. “When?”

“I’m not sure, sometime next week, but Ge’s coming home!”

All week, Kim went over to Gerald’s place, as she did every week, to fix everything. Kim brought in planters and flowers to brighten up the place, and on that Thursday, she bought new groceries and made sure there was beer and champagne in the refrigerator. She changed all the bed sheets, and ended up dusting the entire every day after work. She called sick on Friday and made sure everything was perfect. Gerald was due back at six o’clock in the evening, and Kim picked up his parents, Darling and Marissa to meet him at the docks.

“I’m so nervous.” She said.

“Honey, your fiancé is coming. There should be excitement more than nervous,” Evangeline, her future mother in law, said hugging her. “Oh, when I got the call, I think I screamed.”

“She did,” Gerald Sr. said. “It was so loud, I thought there was another tragedy.”

Darling smacked her father’s arm. “My big brother is coming home, and there’s a wedding to prepare for. And future nieces and nephew,” she said patting Kim’s stomach.

Kim laughed and saw an outline of a ship coming towards them. She couldn’t help but jump up and down. “He’s coming, he’s coming!”

They all laughed at her, but inside they were doing the same things. This was the moment they’ve been waiting for five years. Five years of separation was all going to be finished with this reunion. Kim felt her insides flutter, just as it did all those years ago. The sadness and loneliness was over, only happiness was left.

All the families were aligning the edge of the dock, awaiting for their return. To Kim, this was better than Christmas. She missed him so much, missed his voice, missed his touch. Nothing could ever compare to this moment.

The first of the men walked off, and that’s when the family started approaching the edge. Kim let go of Darling’s hand, allowing his family to go first. She knew that the return of their son was more important, and she knew they’d have their moment all night. She kept her distance and slowed her pace.

She heard Evangeline yell and Darling squeal. Her smile widened; it meant he was alive and hopefully the same Gerald she remembered. Kim pushed her way passed the happy civilians and then she saw him. Her breath escaped in short gasps and sighs. Her Gerald was back. His head was shaved, and no was his face. She had flashes of what he looked like back then – overnight stubble outlined his cheeks and chins, and now it disappeared. Kim stood where she was, and saw him hug his mother, kiss his sister, hug Marissa and shake his father’s hand.

He said some things to them and hugged them all over. And then his eyes rested on Kim in her yellow summer dress. She was smiling directly at him and tilted her head to the side. He whispered something against his mother’s ear and then began his stride towards her.

Kim did the same and couldn’t help but think he was more handsome in his uniform than when he left. His stride quickened and he began running to her. Kim kept on walking until he met her and picked her off her feet, spinning her around.

His face was buried in the crook of her neck, breathing her in. Five years of spraying her perfume did not compare to this. Her skin was softer, and this was the moment he was fighting for.

Kim wrapped her legs around his waist and held on. She kissed his cheek, and met his lips. This was an Armageddon moment, she thought. The part where he was getting ready to leave, and they started singing their song. Except they didn’t need to sing, she just needed to feel his arms around her.

He set her down, but that didn’t mean they let go. He touched her forehead to his, and closed his eyes. “I’ve dreamed about this.” He whispered. “I’ve missed you so much, babe.”

Kim smiled and pressed her lips against his. “You better have. Oh, I didn’t know how much I loved you until right now,” she said surrendering herself into him.

Darling pulled Kim’s hand pulled her away from his embrace. “Okay, we all know what’s going to happen tonight with the two of you, which means less time now, and more time for us.”

Marissa jumped on his back and laughed, “Let’s not assume he’s going to have , his mother’s behind us.” She jumped down and looked at him. “I am so happy you’re happy. Emma and Jake have asked about you every day, wondering when you were coming back home.”

“I reserved us a table at the Waldorf for 7:00. We should probably get going,” Kim said, snuggling into his side.

At dinner, it was a rehashing of what went on over there. Gerald explained it was worse than the last time he went, but it was sort of easier also. He knew what to expect. But his team was full of new people and young people which didn’t know the rules yet.

After an hour of all the gruesome details, Evangeline was able to steer the conversation to the upcoming wedding. His mother took on most of the details, and Kim just relaxed under Gerald’s arm listening. Kim didn’t want to plan so much without Gerald’s intake and when he’d call, she didn’t want to focus on all the preparations because it was such a limited time.

So she thought that if his mother took on that liberty, it wouldn’t be her fault.

Kim would catch him staring at her and she’d return it with a smile and occasional I love you’s.

After dinner, Kim dropped off the family, and then had their final stop at his place. He pulled in his luggage and Kim the light. “Surprise!” She said laughing.

Gerald’s jaw dropped at what he saw. There were candles lit, and different pictures of them together all around the house. He wasn’t a big fan of flowers, but it screamed Kim that he didn’t mind. Kim also framed a couple of their letters back and forth.

“I asked Jimmy to light all of these when I was paying for the bill. Who knew he was such a romantic.” Kim said, going into the kitchen and taking the bottle of champagne. “I thought today would be this amazing celebration of your return.”

He laughed and took the bottle from her hands. “I don’t think we need champagne to make it a celebration.”

She smile and reach down into the top drawer of his desk. “I went shopping today, and I bought something.” His eye brow raised in intrigue.

Kim held up red, see through lingerie. “I thought you’d like it. Especially five years of chastity, you must be really dying inside,” her voice said in a seductive whisper.

He smiled, and bent down to grab her legs and threw her over his shoulder, running with ease to the bedroom. Kim laughed out loud as her stomach swung over her shoulder, “Gerald!” She yelled. But who was she kidding, she was ready for the ride.