Something about her was different. Dalton could feel it the moment they spoke again after basic training. Vanessa's demeanor had shifted. The way she talked, the way she responded—it wasn't the same warmth he had once known. It was subtle, something he couldn't quite place, but it was there, lingering beneath the surface.
Dalton noticed how her laughter was quieter, how her usual playful remarks came less frequently. There was a distance in her eyes, a hesitation in her touch. But, like all the times before, Dalton pushed through. He had learned to navigate these moments of doubt, to push aside his worries and focus on what mattered: being with Vanessa. He told himself it would all work out, that this was just a phase, something they could move past together.
After completing his job training, Dalton finally had the chance to see her again. He brought his little brother along, eager to make the trip memorable, not just for him, but for Vanessa. He had saved up every spare dollar he could find, determined to make this reunion something she'd never forget. He wanted to show her that despite everything, he was still fully committed to them.
They spent the weekend together, making memories.
Dalton had planned out everything. The weather was perfect—sunny, but not too hot. They visited the sponge docks, strolling along the water as the sun glistened off the boats. The scent of the sea filled the air, mixed with the briny smell of fresh fish from the local markets. Every moment with her felt magical, like they were stepping back into a time when everything was simpler.
Vanessa's face lit up as they explored the small shops, her eyes sparkling as she pointed out souvenirs and little trinkets. That smile of hers—the one with the small gap between her front teeth—pulled him in all over again. No matter how much had changed, seeing her happy like that made it all worthwhile. He was falling for her all over again, just like the first time they had reconnected in high school.
They stopped for ice cream at a little stand by the docks, the kind that served homemade flavors in big, waffle cones. Vanessa ordered a scoop of strawberry, while Dalton went for chocolate chip. As they sat on a bench, the sun beginning to set over the water, Dalton watched her in silence, marveling at how someone so simple could make his heart race like this.
"Feels like old times." Vanessa said softly, licking her cone as she stared out at the horizon.
"Yeah" Dalton replied, smiling. "It really does."
Later that evening, they went mini-golfing.
It had become one of their favorite activities—something light, something fun, something that didn't require deep conversations or serious decisions. Dalton loved how competitive Vanessa got when they played, how her brow furrowed in concentration when she tried to line up her shot.
They teased each other relentlessly. Every missed putt became a chance for playful banter, and every successful swing led to exaggerated celebrations. Dalton couldn't stop grinning. This was what he had missed most—the carefree moments where they could just be together without any of life's heavy burdens weighing them down.
At one point, as they reached the last hole, Vanessa tapped her ball too softly, watching it roll just shy of the cup. She groaned, pretending to pout.
"I suck at this." she said, shaking her head.
Dalton laughed, stepping up to take his turn. "Nah, you're just giving me a chance to win."
She raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Keep telling yourself that."
As they finished the game, Dalton felt a familiar warmth in his chest. This is what he had been fighting for—the moments where it was just the two of them, laughing and enjoying each other's company. For a few hours, the distance and the struggles didn't matter.
But beneath the fun, Dalton couldn't ignore the cracks.
As much as he tried to focus on the good times, there were moments—fleeting, but undeniable—when the distance between them felt wider than ever. When they weren't talking or laughing, the silence between them was heavy, almost suffocating. Dalton noticed how Vanessa's attention drifted, how her smiles didn't reach her eyes the way they used to.
He wanted to say something, to ask her what was really going on, but every time he opened his mouth, the words got stuck in his throat. He was scared—scared that if he brought it up, it would shatter whatever fragile connection they still had.
Instead, he held her hand tighter, hoping that would be enough to keep her close. Hoping it would be enough to make her stay.
***
The trip wasn't perfect, but there were moments of closeness.
One evening, they sat on a bench overlooking the water, the soft glow of the sunset painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. It was one of those rare moments when the world felt still, and for a brief time, Dalton could forget about the impending goodbyes, the military, and everything else that loomed over their heads.
Vanessa turned to him, her eyes soft, though a little sad. "It feels like... I actually have a family," she said quietly.
Dalton's heart swelled at her words. That's what he had always wanted for her—a sense of belonging, of stability. He reached out, taking her hand in his, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. He kissed her on the forehead, pulling her close, as if holding her could stop the inevitable parting that was coming.
"You do." he whispered. "You always have."
But not everything went as planned.
Dalton had hoped to spend more time with Vanessa, to make the most of every minute they had together. But his mother, always unpredictable, refused to let him stay longer. Vanessa didn't push back, didn't fight to stay with him, and that hurt more than he expected. It wasn't like her to give up so easily, and Dalton found himself wondering if something else was going on.
He didn't blame her entirely—it wasn't her fault, not really—but seeing her hold back, watching her let go so easily, stirred something inside him. He wanted her to fight for him, to demand more time, to show that she needed him as much as he needed her. But instead, she let it happen, her eyes filling with tears as they stood outside her house, waiting for the inevitable goodbye.
Seeing her cry was like a punch to the gut. It tore him apart to know that they couldn't be together, to know that this goodbye wasn't just for now, but for who knew how long. He wished he could stay, could take her with him, but that wasn't their reality. Not yet.
Later that night, as Dalton lay in bed, the image of Vanessa's tear-streaked face lingered in his mind. He wanted to hold her, to tell her everything would be okay, but all he could do was stare at the ceiling, wondering if they were running out of time. Were they going to survive this distance?
By the end of the trip, it was time for another goodbye.
Dalton hated this part. The goodbyes were always the hardest. As they stood outside her house, the cool evening air brushing against their skin, Dalton leaned in and gave Vanessa a kiss, his lips lingering on hers for just a moment longer than usual. He didn't want to let go, but he had to.
He pulled her into a tight hug, holding her close. "I love you" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
"I love you too.." she whispered back, her voice shaky.
This time, he was leaving for his first duty station. She wouldn't be coming with him, not yet, but they had promised to visit each other. She promised to come see him as soon as she could, and Dalton held on to that promise like a lifeline.
But as he got into the car and drove away, the sinking feeling returned. How many more goodbyes would they have to endure before they could finally be together? He wasn't sure, but as he turned toward the future, he told himself he would keep pushing forward—for her.
But as her house disappeared from the rearview mirror, a gnawing doubt crept into his mind. Would things ever go back to the way they were? Or was this the beginning of the end?