I looked behind me to see Tammy crying and my husband standing by the door. We were both shocked to see him and I was really perplexed.
"I'm sorry for coming, unprecedented..." He smiled as he opened his arms.
I ran towards him and I pounced onto him. He carried me as we spun around like before. He gave me a kiss that I though I would never have again. Tammy gave him a hug too and we began crying. He always surprised me but this made me so relieved.
"Marc... I thought I- we lost you." I sobbed. "You should have sent a letter or whatever..."
"I left proof on that wall, didn't I?" He chuckled.
As we cried and joked around. Tammy spent time with her father while I stood on the side, drinking my tea. Mr. Stone and Ivan arrived with houseplants and bouquets.
"The colonel ordered these for you, Olfina." He gave me the bouquets and there hidden within the flowers were opened envelopes and there I realized that those were all the letters I sent him in the 11 years of his service for the country.
"Mommy, are you okay?" Tammy asked as she held a paintbrush.
"Marc... You surprise me everyday." I smiled.
"Did I ever break a promise?" Marc turned to me with a smile painted on his face. "By the way, thanks for the flowers, Mr. Stone."
"My pleasure," Mr. Stone replied.
"Wanna stay for dinner?" Marc asked them.
Ivan quickly nodded in agreement and that prompted me to cook Burger Steak with mushrooms. I missed cooking that for Marc and he loved it when I cook for him. As I cook, Tammy and Marc helped me prepare while Ivan and Mr. Stone watched tv in the living room.
"Tammy, did you take care of mommy while I was gone?" Marc asked the little girl while he rolled up his sleeves.
"I did, and she really missed you. She loves telling me stories about you." Tammy shared.
I blushed at that statement because I know that Marc will tease me about it again. That big head of his will be the death of me.
"You didn't tell me that you missed me that much." Marc chuckled. "Wanna talk about it later?"
"Seriously Marc, you will be the end of me." I told him as I opened the can of mushrooms.
"Mommy told me that you were a hero without powers and that made you all the more special." Tammy added.
"Okay Tammy, I think that's enough sharing for today, yeah, sweetie?" I told the little girl.
"Oh no, let her talk!" Marc giggled. "She was just getting to the best parts of her stories!"
I fell silent as I wallow in my embarassment while Tammy told everything to Marc. They finished preparing everything I need to use so they both went to the living room where they told stories of what has been happening in this little neighborhood for those 11 years that he was out on the trench.
I heard some stories about me getting drunk and delusional. He also looked through surveillance footage while we were away then he saw me dancing to Salut D'Amour like a total idiot... I am flustered but what am I supposed to do, lie? I mean, he's my husband, he kinda deserves to know what I've been up to...
I love how he never thought that I would be unfaithful to him all these years and I love that about him. He trusts me so much and I feel the same about him too.
He also trusted Gavin to take care of us while he was away. I am so lucky to have him as a husband and I was so gifted to have such a dedicated father to our daughter. I thought that Tammy will be reluctant and distant towards him but I am so relieved to be wrong.
A once silent house that was so big, turned into a house full of joy and constant optimism. Every corner was noisy and the house felt so small... The house that looked so big that made me feel so small was no more because I was no longer alone. Finally, a home and haven for me and my daughter who can now grow up with a complete family.
When I used to tell Tammy that "Mommy is not going anywhere", now, neither Marc nor I will leave and we will stay by her side as she grows. We will go as she grows like how it should have been from the start.
My little Tammy, the bright sun could never comapre to, finally feeling complete with her father. I enjoy watching them as we eat our dinner. Gavin was happy for me too, just seeing me smile genuinely again, he felt so ecstatic.
Saying goodbye to those gloomy days, those 11 years of non-stop longing and worrying, finally off my shoulders for I have someone to carry the weight of my problems with again. Oh how I missed him and he knows it.
"Welcome back, love..." I smiled at Marc, "Thank you for returning my salutations."
"I promised you that I would come back, didn't I?" Marc told me, "You were devastated to see me leave... Let me make it up to you then."
"Ivan and I will leave now, so you can continue with your family gathering." Gavin told us. Marc and I showed them out then he gave me a hug which made me cry.
"I missed you so much..." He told me. "Wanna make it up to you later when we put Tammy to sleep?"
"Goodness, this is why I love you..." I chuckled, "But why haven't you changed into your casual wear?"
"I thought you liked a man in uniform?" Marc pinched my nose.
"Ugh, it's too early for this." I laughed.
"Mommy, daddy, please get a room!" Tammy yelled at us.
We were shocked to hear that from her so we joked around with each other more. It was a lovely night and as far as I know, that was the most joyful I've gotten since our wedding day.
I don't think I would write down anymore of the following days... I need not to take note of what to show Marc anyway... This might be my last entry...
I'll just end this with his favorite line
Salut d'Amour