This past week seemed like it took months, no years to go by. I am finally on my way to the airport to go to Trevor's ceremony. I have a pit in my stomach. I'm so nervous for him to see me. I spent three hours last night looking at our wedding photos and videos that we received. I would look at the pictures of how happy we looked, only to be reminded of the grief that would soon come after. I looked at myself in the mirror, comparing how I used to look to how I look now.
My long hair flowed from the blowing wind, and I looked in the mirror to see short hair. I looked at my long lace wedding gown and saw how full and healthy my body looked, then I look at my body in the mirror and only see skin and bones. I put my hands on my face and try to snap out of it.
I've always cared about how I looked. This whole experience seemed to humble me in a way I hadn't ever expected. It taught me that character means a lot more than outward beauty. Then, I remember why I married Trevor in the first place. It wasn't because of his looks, but because he is genuinely an amazing soul. I hope that his reasons for marrying me are the same, or he will be greatly disappointed when he sees me.
"April? April?" May startles me from my thoughts. She chuckles, "You good? I've been trying to get your attention for five minutes!" She laughs again.
"I'm sorry, I'm just nervous." May just looks at me confused. "I just look so different, you know. I have lost twenty pounds in three months. My hair is short now, and I don't know. I just-"
"Stop spiraling!" May takes me by the shoulders and shakes me. Which isn't a very hard thing to do. "Sorry, I didn't hurt you did I?" I shake my head. "You look beautiful, April. I know you don't think so, but you are. And as for Trevor? Girl, he has loved you since the minute he saw you. He will not be dismayed by short hair and skin and bone. If anything, he will love you even more because it will just prove how strong and amazing you are. You chose to fight for yourself, and to the rest of us, that makes you the most impressive woman on this planet." She smiles at me and brings me in for a hug. "I'm proud of you." She whispers in my ear.
"Thank you, Aunt May." I hug her back. Then we get called to the gate and start to board the plane.
The plane ride was only three hours. We touch down and get a rental car to Fort Knox. We go through the gate and have to show our ID's and other documents before being admitted into the compound. We get waived through, and we start driving down the long road. I look around at all the obstacle courses, trails, and other things around the base. We arrive at the main building where we get directed to the parking lot for the families.
We get escorted to the family housing building that is set up like a hotel for visiting families. May and I struggle to keep up with the fast walking man before us. We go into the building and walk up a flight of stairs to the second floor. The man stands before the door and takes a side step to let us through. May looks him up and down and licks her lips.We walk inside and I hit her with my pillow.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"You're kidding right?" She shrugs her shoulders like she doesn't know what I mean. "You were looking at that man like he was a snack." I laugh.
"No, that man was a four course meal." We both break into a fit of laughter, then get interrupted by a knock at the door. "You expecting someone?"
I shrug my shoulders and walk over to the door. When I open it, Trevor stands on the other side. We both take in the sight of each other. He looks as shocked as I do. Then he closes the distance between us and lifts me up into a kiss.
"Oh, I've missed you." He said against my lips.
"'Scuse me, but I'd like to have a hug myself before you two start knocking your military boots." She holds her arms open for Trevor. He runs over to her and lifts her up and twirls her around. She shrieks and demands to be put down. "You put me down this instant. You know I hate that!" He sets her down, then she smiles. She looks at us and says, "I'm gonna go find that four course meal and ask if he's seeing anyone." And she walks out the door.
Trevor looks at me perplexed. "Don't ask. Please, don't ask." He chuckles and makes his way back over to me. He takes my hand in his and kisses it softly. He looks deep in my eyes with a hint of concern. "I told you I looked different."
"You do. But you are always beautiful to me." He kisses me on the cheek.
"I'm not gonna break, you know." I nudge him on the shoulder. "I promise. I'm okay. I actually put five more pounds on since ending the chemo treatment." I smile at him. He gives me a small smile. Looking up at me through his eyebrows. I close the distance and kiss him. Pushing my body against his.
He kisses me back. "Are you sure?" I nod. He picks me up and pushes me against the wall. He kisses my neck, and unbuttons my blouse. He stands me on my feet, pinning my hands above my head. He runs his hand down the front of my body. Then grips the back of my hair. "Your hair is a lot shorter than I expected." He laughs against my lips.
Do you like it?" He smiles and kisses me again. "I'll take that as a yes."
He lifts me up and takes me to one of the beds. He slowly climbs on top of me, taking off his uniform. I take his hat off his head and run my hand through his even shorter hair. "So is yours by the way." He chuckles and nods.
We spent the next hour talking and catching up on things we couldn't fit in a letter. We kissed over and over again, laughed, cried, and told each other all the things we kept back for this very day.
"I understand why the guys nicknamed you Thor. Goodness, babe." Looking at Trevor sends a chill down my spine. He was always muscular, but now he's bulked. I can't stop running my hand down his chest and over his muscles. He chiseled out every curve ever imagined. He looks like a statue before me.
He starts laughing hysterically. "You're tickling me!" We both start laughing.
"I didn't know it was possible to be ticklish through all those muscles!" I laughed. I push him on his back and climb over top of him. Kissing his lips once more.
"Well, I better get going. I need to check in by six. So I only have fifteen minutes to make it to the mess hall. You and May are welcome to join us for dinner." He raises an eyebrow. "I better warn you though. The food... not as good as yours." We laughed again. Then get interrupted by May pounding on the door.
"Are y'all decent?" She pounds again. "I don't need to see any more flesh than hands and faces, you got me?"
"One minute, Aunt May." Trevor yells through the door. "Alright come on in." We hear a click, then the door swings open to reveal May with the same soldier that showed us to our rooms.
"Lieutenant Ryan?" Trevor exclaims.
They both look at each other like a deer in headlights. The man just clears his throat and says, "Thor. Back to the mess hall. Now."
Trevor stands straight, yells, "Yes sir." And turns and walks out the door.
The man walks behind him. May and I just stare at each other in shock. "I've never seen him like that before." I said slowly.
"Welcome to the military, April. You're now a jarhead's wife." She lets out a snort and shakes her head in disbelief.
"I guess you know what that's like." I said, softly.
"Yes, I do." She pauses. "Now, lets join your jarhead for dinner. Come on." She grabs her purse and my arm and heads us out the door.