I’d dreamed of moments like this for so long. Even when she was mine, I’d had dreams like this. I’d been gone more often than I was home, so I was always missing her. I was tired of being alone, tired of being without. I groaned when I looked down and saw the tent I was making out of the quilt. Tonight, would be the night. I reached for her phone and turned her alarm off. She needed rest, and I needed her to know that I was here to take care of her. Carefully, I shifted her head to the pillow and disentangled myself from her arms. I tucked the quilt around her shoulders and smiled as she sighed and snuggled under it.

I got ready for the day, grabbed the baby monitor, and headed for the kitchen, checking on the kids as I passed their rooms. Both were still asleep. Rocky perked up when I passed to follow me downstairs. After starting a pot of coffee, I sent a text to Jed asking him to stop by here to pick Rocky up and bring donuts. I poured myself a cup and headed out to the covered front porch to sit on the swing. Rocky sniffed around the front yard, hunting for a good spot.

I rocked and sipped my coffee. The peaceful street arched over with green trees and glinting with early morning sunlight was a hard contrast to the desert where I spent most of my adult life. I was not used to hearing the rustle of trees blowing in the breeze or the chatter of squirrels and birds bustling about. As I took a deep breath and the smell of flowers and fresh-cut grass filled my nostrils, I found that I couldn’t relax. I stopped the swing so Rocky could hop up and put his head on my shoulder. He licked my cheek and I put my free arm around him. Rocky always knew when I needed him. I settled into the swing and allowed the calm surroundings to ease my mind.

I was sitting there, grinning like a fool, when Jed pulled into the driveway. I shielded my face against the sun so I could see him walk up. He still limped a bit from his knee replacement earlier this year. He stood tall though, his posture still military straight. His hair was all white. When I’d left all those years ago, it still had some brown throughout. He carried a donut box and waved at me as he approached.

“Morning, Pop. How’s the knee?” I called.