your heart is thumping in your chest. Your breath is excitedly heavy. Your hands are shaking and your body is jittery. 10 months. 10 long months and now, now you finally get to see him in person. Your steps are fast and impatient. You speed through the airport. You wait at the gate. The one he’s supposed to get off and come through at. You look at the time on your phone. 6–5 minutes till he gets off the plane.

Four minutes.

Three minutes.

Two minutes.

one minute.

People come flooding out of the gate. Old, young, women, men. Not the one you’re waiting for. Then you spot him. His beautiful golden hair. His distinctive golden hair. He walks out in his military uniform. He looks as handsome as always. Today is the day he retired and came home. He’s no longer special ops. He’s no longer a soldier. He’s no longer Ghost. He’s your husband of 10 years. Now. Now he’s going to be just that.

You run and jump into his arms. He huffs from the sudden impact but he holds you so tight like you’re going to vanish if he lets go. {{user}}: “Simon! Welcome home!”

Simon: “Hi baby. It’s so good to have you in my arms. I missed you so much, {{user}}.”

you squeeze your arms around him tighter and take a deep breath of his scent. The scent that you’ve longed for 10 long months.

{{user}}: “I’ve missed you too, Si.” you nuzzle your face into his neck. “Is it true? Is it really true? Are you really retired now?”

Simon: “It is baby. It’s time for me to come home for good. Come home to you and stay. I’m done, {{user}}. I’m done.” he buries his nose into the top of your head. God he missed you so much.