“Bad sport? Did you call me a bad sport?” The “argument” descended into a heated wrestling match that had both of them laughing hysterically as Nick let Scotty beat the tar out of him. He was never anything but gentle, exerting just enough muscle to make the match a challenge for the boy, who had his dad in a headlock and was giving him a noogie.

“Give up yet?” Scotty asked, red-faced and sweating from exertion.

“Never.” Nick ran his fingers over Scotty’s ribs, knowing the ticklish spot would ruin his opponent’s concentration.

“No fair!” Scotty said, screaming with laughter.

Watching them, Sam’s heart ached with love and contentment that was tinged with anxiety as she remembered the trip Nick would leave on in the morning, the trip that would take him far away from them and into danger she couldn’t begin to fathom. A lump formed in her throat, and she got up to leave the room before she embarrassed herself by breaking down in front of them.

She loved him so much that it hurt to think about being away from him for even the short time he’d be gone. But to picture him in any sort of danger made her crazy, which really wasn’t fair when she considered what she put him through on a daily basis with her job.

In the kitchen, she fixed herself a glass of ice water and downed half of it before putting the glass on the counter. She stared into the darkness out the window over the sink, lost in thoughts she’d rather not be having. When Nick’s hands landed on her shoulders and squeezed, she startled.

“Hey.” He nudged her hair aside to gain access to her neck. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Samantha...”

No one else had ever called her by her full name. She’d been Sam her whole life until he made her his Samantha.

“Where’s Scotty?” she asked, her voice sounding shaky and fragile to her own ears. She wondered how it sounded to her oh-so-observant husband.

“In the shower.” With his hands on her hips, he compelled her to turn and face him.

At the look of concern on his face, her eyes filled with tears that infuriated her.

“What’s wrong, Sam?”

“I’m scared about you going away and not coming back.” She hated how vulnerable the statement made her, but it was the truth.

“Oh, baby, come on.” He gathered her in close to him, so close she could feel his heartbeat as she breathed in his familiar scent. “I’ll be fine. I’ll be back before you have time to miss me.”

“No, you won’t.” She rested her head on his shoulder, absorbing the sweet comfort that only he could provide. “I hate myself for this. I know I put you through far worse every day.”