It often upset Philip that he couldn't be home like he would prefer. Being a commander in the military kept him away for months, years in the current case. He wasn't a fan, but he loved his work.

"Can't you come home sooner?" Philip hated how sad you sounded with every rare phone call he was able to get with you, "My parents are throwing that Christmas get together again... I'm tired of my sister asking why I'm alone."

"I'm sorry, darling. I don't know when I'll be out on leave." Philip used his shoulder to hold his phone to his ear, currently packing to come home, "I've gotta get back in the air in twenty."

Philip had called your mother three days earlier and made a plan to surprise you at the Christmas gathering.

Your sigh was heavy, meaning he needed to be prepared to coddle, "You can't request a week off?"

Philip chucked sadly, "I'm sorry. Too many requested off already."