The Beginning

[TelephotoMarigold]

“Liz.” Her father called.

“Dad.” She said and sat down next to him.

“I got you vodka and coke, is that right?” he said.

She nodded.

“Thanks.”

“I’m only here to say hello Princess, nothing more.” He told her with a smile.

She looked over at him.

“Is that why Mike didn’t know you were here?” she said,

“I’m not officially.” He grinned. “I called a few favours to get a lift out here.”

He took a drink of beer and looked at her.

“So how are you?” he asked.

“I’m good. I’m seeing somebody.” She said. “It’s going ok.”

He smiled over at her.

“You look happy Liz, I’ve seen some of your work. I have the wire service send me anything with your name. You’ve written some heartfelt stuff.”

She grinned with pride.

“I understand one of your pieces is up for an award.”

She smiled at him taking a long drink.

“Yes it is. The bit about the returning heroes.” She told him softly.

“Well good luck Princess.”

She grinned at him.

“How is the studying going.” He asked her.

She sighed.

“I can’t decide what I want to do next think I might take some time off. I understand why World War one poets wrote so passionately but I don’t think I’m in a place where I can really study poetry.” she told him. “And romanticism as a movement is a bit overwhelming regardless of where I am.”

“Did you get the book I sent over?”

She grinned at him.

“Yes I read the Byron. It was heavy.” She told him.

“Perhaps this will help?” he said and placed a small tissue wrapped item on the table.

She took it with an excited gleam in her eyes, pulling off the gift ribbon she unwrapped it to reveal a tome of poetry by Wordsworth.

“Oh my god.” She squealed.

She leaned over and kissed him.

“It’s not a first edition, because I’m not that rich but it is a decent copy. I’m inscribed it for you.” He said to her.

She opened up the book and on the flyleaf he’d written ‘To my Princess with all my love Daddy.’

She felt herself welling up with tears and blinked them back.

“Thank you Daddy.” She told him “Mike has just come in.” she added after a minute.

“I suppose I better say hello.” He said.

She grinned.

“He’s with his unit. You should have worn your uniform and scared them into saluting you.” She said to him.

He moved closer to her in the booth and put his arm around her shoulders.

“Are you happy out here?” he asked.

She grinned.

“Yes I am.” She told him. “And I’m close to Mike.”

“Missed him?” her Dad asked her.

She nodded.

She patted his hand.

“This is new.” She said.

“Hugging my daughter?” he grinned at her.

She nodded and took another drink.

“I’m mellowing.” He said.

She choked on her drink and he burst out laughing.

He looked over at the group at the abr.

“Tell me about them.” he said to her.

“Well you have Jacko, he’s a rake. Pete is quite quiet. Gardy I’ve only spoken to twice. James is a good one. Talks about his wife a lot. I think this will be his last tour.” She said and looked over the group. “Hang on.” She told her father and stood and went over to them.

“Where is he?” she asked Mike.

“Sis.” Mike said.

“Mike?” she muttered. “Don’t BS me.” She warned.

“He had to go on a mission.” Jacko told her. “But it’s ok you’ve got company.”

Ella looked at him.

“You are right Jacko. Let me introduce you.” She muttered. She grabbed hold of Jacko’s hand and dragged him over to the table.

“Sgt Jacko Thompson this is my father Major George Addison.” She told him and felt Jacko stand to attention automatically.

She turned and gave him a look.

“Don’t ever do that again Jacko.” She muttered.

She sat down and finished her drink.

Jacko stood unsure of what to do.

“I’m sorry.” He said to her.

She nodded.

He disappeared back to the bar where Mike laughed at him.

“So who is the someone you are seeing?” he asked her.

He drained his beer and looked at her glass.

“Well that is a long story.” She said and found herself telling him all about Roman and her Dad looked over at Mike and chuckled.

“Shall we join them Princess?” he said.

“On one condition.”

What? “ He asked her.

“You stop calling me Princess.” She told him seriously.

He chuckled.

She led him over to the group and introduced him to everyone.

“And of course you know this one.” She said referring to Mike.

“Hey Dad.” He said.

“Mike.” He greeted. “Are we drinking?” he asked them.

There was a general consensus.

Mike looked at her and smiled enquiringly.

She nodded and picked up her fresh drink.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Ten days passed without word from him. She could tell that even Mike was getting worried.

“Sis.” He called coming into her tent.

She was sitting at the picnic table her laptop open in front of her. A pile of papers beside her that she was re-reading. She had her camera hooked up to the laptop and was downloading the photos she had taken onto her PC. She had her headphones in and was listening to her Ipod.

He walked up to her and patted her on the shoulder.

“Oh my god Mike.” She said and tugged out the ear pieces.

“What you doing sis?” he asked.

“You mean aside from having a heart attack?” She grinned at him.

“Yeah aside from that.” He chuckled and pulled up the other chair to sit on.

“Dad has sent me details of universities to apply too if I want to do a Masters. So I’m looking at them. He has also increased my allowance to put towards it.”

“Dad is paying for it?” he asked. He whistled slowly.

She shrugged.

“I paid for the first year and he found out and told me that he would pay the rest. We argued. He’s pays for my studies and will finance me if I want to go full time.” she told him. “We haven’t told mother.”

He nodded.

“I’m not surprised. And the Masters is something you are seriously thinking about?” Mike asked softly.

She nodded.

“I told you. I’m still some credits off my degree but I’m keeping my options open.” She said.

She clicked a few buttons. Edited the photo. Saved it and added it as an attachment to the email before adding her text and hit send.

“I’m impressed.” He told her.

“With what?” she smiled at him.

“Well the multitasking. And you haven’t asked about him.” Mike grinned at her.

She looked at him.

“I presume someone will come and tell me if it’s bad news and he will come in through the door if it’s not.”

“Are you really this cool sis?” he said to her.

“I can’t be a bundle of nerves can I? I mean if it does go further and I’m sitting back at home am I going to put my life on hold and sit and worry all the time?” she said to him. “Or am I going to live my life and be the person he wants me to become.”

Mike chuckled.

“I am more impressed now. You are so grown up.” He told her. “Anyway have you done working?” he asked her.

She nodded.

“Great come keep me company for a while.” He told her.

She shook her head.

“I still need to do some reading.” She told him,

He stood up.

“Nope I’ve decided you need to come and have a drink with me.” He grinned.

She groaned.

“Just the one. “ she said. “I have to look at those course prospectus.”

He pulled her up.

She clicked off her laptop and put it on the shelf.

Mike laughed when he saw the notebook next to it.

“Roman’s?” he asked pointing.

She nodded.

“Tell me you’ve been human and peeking into it.”

She shook her head.

“And you aren’t going to either.” She warned him before she led him out.

She put a padlock on the catch securing her tent.

“What’s this?” he asked her.

“I think someone was in there the other day so I lock it now.” She shrugged.

“Ok. I think you should move.” He told her.

“If I move I’ll have to share and that will make it impossible to study in private.” She told him.

“For a horrible moment I thought you were going to say something else.” He said to her and looked at her face. “Oh my god Sis. You are so going to have to do a forfeit.” He muttered and dragged her to the bar.

She groaned.

“I already have a tattoo.” She told him.

He did a double take.

“You do?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Show me.”

She blushed and shook her head.

“Sorry I can’t.”

He folded his arms across his chest.

“No seriously it’s on my hip I can’t.” She explained hoping he would drop the matter.

He laughed.

“Perhaps I’ll ask Roman what it is.” He said and she blushed a bright red.

He looked at her.

“You have haven’t you.” He said.

She nodded.

“And what happened to waiting?” he said.

She grinned.

“Maybe you can tell me?” She suggested.

He laughed.

“That was Jennie’s fault.” He told her. “She seduced me.”

“I’m sure you protested a lot.” She muttered.

“Anyway he is the love of my life and I just want to be with him. Is that so hard to accept?” she asked him heatedly.

He chuckled and walked over to the jukebox putting on “Dancing in the moonlight” by Toploader and turned back to her.

She shook her head.

He came over to her and lifted her on the bar.

“Mike you are a dead man.” She told him.

“This is less embarrassing than a tweetie pie tattoo.” He told her.

She began to dance to the music along the top of the bar.

Mike leaned over and spoke to the barman and the music was turned up and she was handed a Microphone.

She shook her head at him but he whistled and she had no choice but to start singing.

The song ended and he handed her a vodka shot and she downed that.

“You haven’t finished yet little sister.” He told her.

Sweet home Alabama came on and he made her carry on singing. She glared at him. He handed her another shot and she downed that.

“Last song Sis.” He told her.

She shook her head and then groaned as Born to be Wild came on.

“I so hate you.” She muttered.

He laughed and pointed.

She turned and saw Roman sitting in the corner.

“Tweetie Pie’s revenge.” He told her.

She swore and picked up a jug of beer and poured it over her brothers’ head climbing off the bar. She glared at Roman and walked out.

Roman grinned and walked over to Mike.

“I hope that was worth her not talking to us for a month.” He said to Mike.

Mike chuckled.

“A month?” he asked. “You’re being optimistic aren’t you?” he muttered wiping the beer off his face.

Roman chuckled.

“I may have a hidden weapon.” He said.

Mike blushed.

“Dude, that’s my sister.”

Roman shook his head smiling.

“I meant something else entirely. Private Addison clean yourself up and get your mind out of the gutter.” Roman told him and left the man to it to go and find her.

“Ella.” He said after finally finding her on the seats near the airfield by the weights benched and equipment.

“Did you have fun Roman?” She asked him.

“Not really.” He said and sat next to her.

She pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one inhaling deeply.

“And how long have you smoked?” he asked her.

She shrugged.

“Since I was 9 actually.” She told him. “About the same time I tasted whisky too.”

He looked at her and took the cigarette from between her fingers and threw it on the floor crushing it with his foot.

“Ella.” He said and looked at her.

“You didn’t tell me you were back.” She said to him. “Instead my brother set me up for his stupid amusement.”

Roman looked at her and sighed.

“Ella. I walked in the bar just as you were talking. He lifted you up as I started to come over to you. I was not part of his joke. He just thought it would be even more amusing to have me watch you.” Roman explained patiently. “I was kind of hoping for a different reaction from you.”

“I have to go. I need an early night. I have a shoot tomorrow.” She told him.

He looked at her.

“Ella.” He said. “I was hoping for an early night myself.” He grinned.

She shook her head.

“Sorry I’m not in the mood.”

She lit another cigarette and walked away back to her tent.

He looked up at the stars and counted to a very slow ten before he went after her. She was sitting on the bed.

“What took you so long?” she asked him.

He laughed.

“I thought you were mad at me.” He said

She nodded.

“I am but I’ve missed you.”

He smiled slowly taking off his clothes.

“You have?” he asked her.

She grinned.

“Of course.”

“Then I suggest you get naked.” He told her.

She stood up and slowly took off the halter neck top dropping it to the floor before undoing the cut off jeans and lowering them down her legs slowly, swirling her hips. He chuckled at the slow striptease. She stepped out of them and then turned her back to him and opened the bra fastening. He watched as she let it fall from her hand to the floor. It left her in a pair of peach cotton panties and he grinned as she wiggled her hips and tucked her thumbs in the side of them before pushing them down her legs. She turned around and stood before him completely naked.

He moaned.

“Ok.” he said.

She pulled back the covers and lay on the bed.

He scrambled out of the rest of his clothes and climbed into bed with her.

[TelephotoMarigold]

“So tell me about it.” she said softly.

“I can’t.” he murmured.

“It was awful.” she said.

He looked at her in the semi darkness of the tent, a flickering candle on the table across the room.

He grimaced.

“Why do you ask?” he said, “You never have done before.”

“Because you were dreaming.” She told him softly. “and I don’t think it was a nice dream.”

He grinned and leaned over and kissed her.

“It’s nothing. “ he said.

She stroked his face.

“Liar.” She told him and put her arms around him.

He kissed her slowly.

“I do bad stuff. “ Roman said eventually. “And I’m told its for the right reasons. But sometimes I can’t see it.”

She smiled gently at him.

“Would you like to make love?” she asked him.

He grinned at her.

“Is that your way of making it better?” he said to her.

She shook her head.

“No it’s my way of showing you that I care for you and that I do not believe you are a bad person.”

“How did you know?” he asked quickly.

“That you were thinking that?” I don’t know.” She confessed kissing him again.

“I think I could adore you for a very long time.” he told her.

She smiled at him.

“This is a really crappy time to meet though isn’t it?” she said to him.

He nodded.

“I want so much but can offer so little.” He said cryptically.

She chuckled.

“Why don’t you let me decide for myself.”

He looked deep into her eyes.

“Are we talking about what I think we are talking about?” he asked her.

“I think we are.” She told him.

He grinned.

“So if we are talking about what I think we are talking about what will you do?” he said.

“Well I assume that we will settle somewhere I could go to university full time or get a different job and we go from there.”

He laughed out loud.

“You’ve been thinking about it then.”

“Haven’t you?” she shot back.

He nodded and kissed her again.

She responded with a sigh and she kissed him back stroking slowly down his back.

She kissed him awake.

“I have to go.” She told him.

He looked at her.

“Ok.” he said sleepily, closing his eyes again.

“Well do you think you could move your arm?” She asked.

He moved and looked at them.

“Ok” he said again and moved his arm from around her waist.

She eased out of bed and went to stand up.

“Watimisit?” he asked her.

She grinned.

“4am.” She told him.

He groaned and rolled over.

She laughed at him and bent down to give him a kiss.

“Are you sure you have to go now?” he asked rolling on to his back.

She chuckled.

“If I don’t I’ll miss my ride.” She told him.

He watched as she got dressed in combat trousers a black T-shirt and boots. She dragged on a waistcoat and found her camera.

She grabbed her backpack and went out the door. She turned around and went back in.

“You need to lock up when you leave.” She told him.

She handed him the padlock and a spare key.

“Problems?” he asked now fully awake.

She shook her head.

“Nothing serious.” She grinned and kissed him before leaving again.

He placed the shawl on the bed. Lit candles around the room. He placed incense in a little burner. On the table he had a full picnic. Crusty bread, cheeses and salad, plus some grapes and olives. In the centre of the table he had a red rose in a beer bottle. The rose was plastic but he hoped it was the thought that counted. He waited patiently for her return.

Well by patient he actually meant a bundle of nerves and pacing her tent every five minutes. She came in slamming the door behind her.

“Hey.” He said to her. “How was your day?” he asked mundanely, nerves getting the better of him,

“Hey. Stupid pilot wouldn’t take me to where I wanted to go.” She muttered. She looked around and took in the setting. “Wow.” She told him.

He smiled at her as he opened the Champagne and poured it into two glasses and went over to the bed. She sat next to him and took the offered glass.

Roman looked at her and all the prepared words slipped out of his brain. His hand shook and champagne sloshed over the side of the glass. He moved quickly setting the glass down. He knelt on one knee in front of her.

“I’m completely mad for you and if you say yes I will be over the moon.”

She giggled.

“What am I supposed to say yes to?” Ella asked him.

Roman looked at her and took a deep breath.

“Ella will you marry me?” he said, unable to look at her.

“I’ll have to think about it!” she said with a smile.

He groaned and looked up at her to see that she was smiling at him.

She reached for him and pulled him up to sit beside her on the bed, kissing him.

“Roman Harris I love you and of course I will marry you.” She said softly.

He grinned at her and kissed her passionately holding her close to his body.

“I don’t have a ring.” He told her. “But I will get you a diamond as soon as possible. “ he promised.

She grinned at him.

He reached under his shirt and pulled off his tags placing them over her head. They were still warm from his body. She smiled at him radiantly.

“These will have to do for a while. Tell me again.” He said.

She looked deep into his eyes.

“I love you.” She told him.

He grinned.

“I’m going to need a big diamond.” She told him. “Really big.”

He chuckled.

“I love you Ella. I don’t want you to be an Army wife. We need to talk things through about where we go form here.” He grinned taking her into his arms.

She reached over and stroked his face.

“We have time Roman. I can do my studies while you finish your tour and if you want to stay in for longer I won’t object.” She told him.

“I don’t. Not if I have a family.” He grinned as a slow blush crept over her cheeks.

“So are you planning on a lot of kids?” she asked.

“Why?” He grinned at her.

“I want to know now so I can change my mind if I need to.”

He laughed and pushed her down on the bed tickling her.

She started laughing and suddenly he wasn’t tickling her anymore he was kissing her. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

The conversation, although fleeting made him think about his daughter Nicole, although he hadn’t see her for years, and knew he should tell her about her but then other thoughts came into his head and he made love to his fiancée.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Ella began to make her way back to her tent from the bar. She had work to do so she left Roman to have a drink with his men.

“Ella.” Gardy called from behind her.

She turned.

“Can I help you with something?” she asked him, she glanced at his face and felt a quiver of fear go through her.

He walked over to her, casting sly glances to check he wasn’t seen.

“Well I was thinking that we should get to know each other better.” Gardy told her.

She smiled nervously and placed a hand at her neck feeling the tags there.

“Sure. I have to go now I’ve got things to do. We’ll chat next time I have a drink with you guys.” She said.

“That isn’t quite what I had in mind.” He said and she saw his hand move to his trousers.

She gasped and backed up, realising that was a mistake as she now had her back to the side of the bar.

He stepped forward and put his hands either side of her head.

“When I met you I knew you were special Little Liz.” He said softly.

She smiled nervously.

“Well you know I’m with Roman.” She told him.

He grinned.

“I know. It’ll make it more fun when I’ve told him I’ve had you.” He muttered and kissed her.

She moved her head and tried pushing against him but her hands came up to the hard muscular wall of his chest and did nothing.

“Gardy. Stop.” She said trying to reason with him, feeling petrified.

“I can’t I need you Ella.” He said and kissed her again.

She moaned and hit him.

“Yes.” He said. “Fight me.”

She pulled her head away and opened her mouth to scream.

He put his hand over her mouth.

“Normally I love it when they scream but I can’t have Roman coming to your rescue tonight I need you too much.” He told her in a hoarse whisper his breath coming in gasps.

She struggled against him and he caught hold of her hands and pinned them about her head. Gardy put his other hand on her breast and squeezed it.

She screamed and he laughed pressing himself closer to her.

Jacko and Mike walked out of the bar and laughed at some joke. Mike put his head up not sure if he had heard something. Then he heard Ella scream again. He ran round the side of the bar and took in the scene. Gardy was pinning her against the bar and she was struggling.

“What the F*** do you think you are doing?” Mike shouted at him.

He ran over and pulled Gardy off her swinging his fist he hit him. Gardy fell to the hard dusty ground.

Jacko stood behind Mike and looked at him.

“You’re sick.” He told Gardy.

“She was asking for it.” Gardy muttered wiping his mouth with his hand and seeing blood on his knuckles.

“Shut up.” Mike muttered. “You are nothing but a pathetic liar.” He shouted at him.

“Mike.” Jacko prompted looking at Ella who was crying.

He went over to his sister and put his arms around her.

“Come on.” He said and led her away.

Jacko followed them with a last scathing look at the prone Gardy.

Mike sat her on the bed in her tent and pulled the throw around her. She was shaking.

“You don’t think I was…” she began to say.

“No.” Mike told her.

“I think you should tell the LT.” Jacko said to her.

She shook her head.

“I can’t he’ll go nuts and anyway you sorted him.” she said. “I don’t want to cause a fuss.”

She stood and went and collected her wash kit.

“I need to shower.” She told them.

She looked at Mike.

“Will you come with me?” She said quietly, not meeting his eyes.

Mike and Jacko shared a look.

“Of course.” Mike told her and pressed a quick kiss to her head.

She picked out clean clothes and took them to the shower block too. Jacko and Mike stayed outside keeping watch. They didn’t talk for a time.

“She should tell him.” Jacko said.

Mike grimaced.

“I know but she’s right he’ll beat the crap out of Gardy and end up on charges.” He said.

“We could tell him.” Jacko suggested “and then sit on him until he calms down.”

Mike laughed.

“I intend to go home at some point Jacko. How long do you think it’ll take for him to calm down?”

“Good point.” Jacko grinned.

They turned as they heard Ella start crying.

“B******!” Mike said.

“I have to ask Mike.” Jacko grinned at him. “Why is your sister wearing the LT’s tags?”

“You saw them?” Mike grinned.

Jacko nodded.

“Apparently its difficult to get an engagement ring out here.” Mike said softly.

“No sh*t!” Jacko grinned.

Mike grinned back.

Ella came out of the shower block.

“Thank you.” She told them quietly.

Jacko grinned at her.

She looked at him and then checked to make sure the tags were covered.

“You didn’t see anything Jacko.” She told him.

“No not a thing.” He agreed still grinning.

They walked her back to her tent and saw her safely inside. She climbed into a nightdress and got into bed.

Roman joined her later.

“Hey.” He said softly getting undressed.

“Hey. She said. She was facing the side of the tent away from him, hiding the fact she was crying.

He climbed into bed beside her.

“Are you ok?” he asked feeling the material of the nightdress, something she normally didn’t wear.

She nodded.

He kissed the back of her neck.

“Sorry.” She said as she flinched. “I’m not in the mood tonight.”

“That’s ok, I just want to hold you.” He moved closer to her putting his arm around her.

She moved restlessly after a couple of minutes.

“I can’t.” she told him.

“El?” he said softly.

“I think you need to go back to the dorm tonight.” She told him.

“What is the matter?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“Nothing.” She said.

“Well something must be you don’t sound like yourself.” He told her.

“Just because I don’t feel like having sex doesn’t mean anything is wrong.” She muttered.

“Well forgive me for reacting like a girl here but when did it become sex and not making love?” he asked sitting up and rubbing his face with his hands. He stood and walked over to his clothes pulling on his trousers.

“Great.” She muttered. “So the one night I don’t feel like it you go off and sulk.”

He looked at her before pulling on his T-shirt.

“Five minutes ago you wanted me to leave so which is it?” he demanded.

“Yes I want you to leave.” She shouted. “Get out.”

He picked up his boots and shirt and walked out slamming the door behind him, unprepared when he heard her start sobbing. He felt like someone had punched him in the gut when he heard that.

He turned around and went back in.

“Ella.” He said softly.

She shook her head.

“Can I at least hold you?” he asked dumping his stuff on the floor.

She shook her head.

“What is it?” he asked.

She shook her head again, unable to tell him. Scared of what he would do and somehow she felt like it was her fault.

He sat next to her on the bed and held her hand.

“Ok.” he said.

After a while he put his arm around her and when she tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let her. She cried until she couldn’t cry anymore and started to fall asleep. He helped her get under the covers and stood to go back to the dorm.

“Stay.” She said quietly.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

In the half light he saw her nod and he slowly got undressed and got into bed with her. She snuggled into his arms.

“Sorry.” She told him falling asleep

He kissed the top of her head.

“I love you.” He said to her.

[TelephotoMarigold]

“So tell me again how you managed to get yourself out with us?” Mike asked.

She shrugged.

“I asked to go out on a patrol and yours was the next one that came up.” She told him with a grin.

“So nothing to do with a mysterious phone call to dad.” He muttered.

Roman walked up to them.

“Private, watch what you are doing.” He said professionally.

She grinned at him as he went up the front next to Gardy who was on point.

“We need to talk.” Roman muttered out the side of his mouth.

She looked at him.

“I didn’t ask for this.” She told him. “Not coming out with you.”

He nodded like he believed her.

He moved up the front and halted them checking the map. She followed instruction well he noted. She knelt down and shot a few snaps off in the distance.

He sent Mike back to talk to her.

“LT says we are coming up to a village and he wants you in the back until we know its clear, incidentally have you told him about your stint in the Army.” He grinned.

She glared at him.

“Thank the LT for his concern. I haven’t told him. And I didn’t ask to come with you guys. I speak to Dad every week now.” She said briefly.

She continued to kneel down and watched as he went back to Roman and passed on what she hoped was an edited version of her message. She saw him turn and glare at her so she snapped a covert picture of his face without moving her camera.

Gardy said something and she saw Roman do a double take and frown at the other man. Suddenly she had a lump in her throat. Jacko came over to her and handed her his canteen to take a drink of water.

“For what it is worth I admire you for not telling him. It was a tough choice to make.” He told her. She looked at him and nodded.

“Stay behind me Ella.” Jacko told her. “Pete and James will go in first. “

She nodded again.

“Jacko.” She began to tell him something but broke off and looked over at Gardy and shuddered.

“We is watching over you girl.” Jacko told her and pattered her arm.

“I guess I have been adopted.” She said.

Jacko grinned.

She waited for them to clear the village, it was composed of a few brick and stone houses. In the distance she could see the crops they were growing and the farm animals. It was thriving community despite the battle scars from the Russian invasion and the fierce religious conflict after that. She took pictures do the children and the simple buildings.. Walking up to one girl she greeted her in Farsi and asked if she could take her picture. The girl giggled and nodded. Ella took a photo of her and pulled out a couple of sweets from her pocket. She un-wrapped one for herself and put it in her mouth before holding out her hand. The girl laughed and took the sweets.

“LT.” Mike called getting his attention.

“Private.” He asked.

“We have something suspicious over there.” He pointed out.

Roman looked in the distance and pulled out his binoculars.

He groaned.

“It’s a tank, Russian made T 72.“ he asserted “I’m pretty sure that it’s out of commission. There is blackening on the turret.”

“We have to check it out.” Mike said.

Roman nodded and then looked over at Ella.

“Gardy Mike you lead.” He instructed. “Jacko stay with our guest.” He muttered and they nodded.

Ella watched as they moved out. She stayed low behind a wall. She snapped a couple of pictures and checked them. She bit her lip anxiously and concentrated looking at Jacko’s face.

“They’ve cleared it. “ He told her.

She nodded.

“Ella you weren’t scared about our boys were you?” he asked teasingly.

“A little but only because I’m here and they might be a little distracted.” She said softly.

She stood up and looked over at them. Roman, Pete and James were on their way bad. The Explosion took them by surprise. The noise deafening, a plume of smoke was rising into the blue sky. She threw her camera to the ground and raced towards them, Jacko unable to stop her.

She got so far when Roman grabbed her and held her back.

“Check it out Pete.” He instructed, feeling a sense of dread deep in his stomach.

Pete ran a way off in the direction of the blast. He knelt low and pulled Gardy back, the other man unconscious. He swore after looking over in the direction of the blast.

He came back and reported to Roman in an urgent whisper, his sideways look at her told her all she needed to know. She moaned low in her throat and Jacko took hold of her as Roman and Pete went over to the sight of the blast. She pulled away and ran forward until she was once again caught hold of by Jacko.

“Missy I need you to stay back.” He said softly.

She glared at him but the look on his face stalled her from comment.

Roman tossed his weapon over to Pete and pulled out his knife. He started the painstaking task of heading towards Mike in the minefield. Prodding the hot sand with his knife for the next mine. She knew he was moving as fast as was safe, but all she think about was her brother. She moaned when she saw him pause and carefully wipe the sand away from a mine.

“Good Girl.” Jacko said when he saw her bite her lip to stop her crying out.

Roman got to Mike and checked for a pulse. He nodded to Pete and he crawled through the clear path. He tugged out medical supplies and started working on him, his condition too serious to move him somewhere safer. After a time Pete shook his head and Roman lifted his to look at her. She cried out but then pulled herself together and watched as they carried him out of the minefield. She moved away and went back to the village to collect her camera and give them some time.

The girl she befriended earlier came up to her and put her hand in Ella’s. In halting Farsi she explained that the man injured was her brother. And then tried to think of the translation for dead and burst into sobs falling to her knees in the hot dusty sand. She felt the girl stroke her hair and it made her pull herself together. Jacko found her still sitting there the girl sitting beside her.

“El.” Jacko said softly. “The LT needs us to go we have a chopper coming to take us back to base.”

She nodded and wiped her face, trying to remove the traces of her tears and pressed a quick kiss to the little girl. She put her hand in her pocket and handed over the rest of the sweets before standing and moving away with Jacko.

Roman looked at her but she shook her head and he stayed away. They got to the landing zone and climbed on to the helicopter when it arrived. They remained silent. Mike’s covered body in the centre of them. Back at base she was first off the chopper and moved swiftly away to her tent. She stripped off the clothes she was wearing and grabbed her wash things and ran to the shower block needing to get clean. She was back in her tent in minutes and fell on her bed sobbing.

Roman returned to the dorm after giving the report. Gardy was in medical getting checked out and he would have to give his report when he was cleared.

“LT.” Jacko said pulling his attention back.

“What?” Roman asked quickly.

“If you are planning to go see her get yourself cleaned up.” Jacko warned.

Roman looked down and saw Mike’s blood on his uniform. He groaned covering his face.

“LT she’s special she won’t blame you for today.” He added. “She kept herself together in a situation where I’ve seen men fall apart.”

Roman nodded, feeling like he was in shock.

“We were joking 5 minutes earlier Jacko.”

“I know. And you know it goes like that.” Jacko sat beside him on the bed. “I reckon that if those tags mean what I think they mean she will be waiting for you because you’ll both be needing each other tonight.”

Roman looked at him and stood up collecting his wash kit and grabbing clean clothes. He went out and walked slowly over to the wash block, not even questioning how Jacko knew about the tags.

He cleaned up and dumped his gear back in the dorm before walking over to see her. He walked in and saw her lying on the bed.

“El.” He said softly.

She sat up and opened her arms to him. He moved quickly and put his arms around her. He felt a sob tear through her and moaned.

“I’m sorry.” He said. “So sorry. I should have been quicker.”

She shook her head.

“Do you know what it did to me to see you do that?” she said. “I was so scared.”

He pulled back and looked at her.

“My brother.” She said and started crying again.

He kissed her gently.

“Ella I need you.” he said feeling his hands shaking as he started to touch her.

She nodded and pulled him to lie with her on the bed.

“I need you too.” She whispered.

They kissed passionately moving until they lay on the bed. They discarded their clothes quickly caressing each other in all the familiar places that made each go wild. Roman looked deep into her eyes and told her he loved her. She kissed him, stroking his face, his neck and down his arms. He paused and reached for protection for them but a thought went through his had and he dropped it back on the bedside cabinet. He eased himself into her feeling her shudder in response. He kissed her deeply loving the way her legs tangles with his, her hips moved against his the feel of her lips on his.

“I love you.” She gasped against his lips.

“I love you.” He moaned, pleasure overwhelming him and spilling himself deep inside her.

They kissed again slowly then fast then slow all over again. His hands moulded her flesh pleasing her, making her moan and gasp with renewed pleasure. He had to make her lose herself with him. He kissed down her body using his lips and mouth and tongue to elicit moans and gasps from her. He parted her thighs with unsteady hands and kissed the core of her femininity.

She touched his head reaching for him.

“No.” she moaned. “I need you.”

He moved then joining with her, unaware of how ready he was or how much he needed to hear those words from her lips. He cast a sly glance at the protection he had once again forsaken.

The pleasure built and mounted until he felt her fall apart underneath him moaning his name. He kissed her taking her cries into his mouth.

“More.“ he whispered, thrusting deep within her.

Her eyes flew to his and locked in fierce look as he drove into her. She lifted her hips rubbing against him in almost unbearable friction. He moaned against her neck pressing kisses to her neck. Their hands tangled and fingers interlocked, clinging to each other. He thrust into her deep feeling her legs wrap around him, her hips lift.

“I love you.” She moaned against his lips.

For the second time he filled her with his seed hoping that she would get pregnant. But whether he wanted to heal the loss of her brother or tie her to him he wasn’t sure and he couldn’t help feeling guilty for taking the choice away from her.

[TelephotoMarigold]

She sat with him for a long time. Neither of them spoke.

“Will you be back?” he asked eventually.

She looked at him.

“I don’t know the newspaper may not want me back out here.” She told him. “I’ve written down all my contact information in the back of your notebook.” She half grinned.

“This feels awful.” He said to her pulling her closer to him and putting his arms tighter around him.

“I know.” She said trying for a smile.

He pressed a kiss to her head.

“I wish.” He said, beginning to tell her again how he wished he could have saved her brother.

“I know that too. But you couldn’t have done anything different.” She told him.

He sighed, reliving that day over again in his head. He couldn’t help the feeling that something was missing that he wasn’t seeing the whole picture.

“My dad has said that there won’t be an inquiry.” She told him.

He nodded.

“Ella lets not talk anymore ok I need you.” He said to her.

She grinned.

“I know that too but the thing is I have to pack tonight.”

“So you are preparing for it to be ..” he stopped unable to find the words to finish the sentence.

She nodded.

“I have a backpack of clothes my storage box and my laptop and Camera.” She listed the things she needed to take.

He looked at her.

“And you have my heart.” he said softly.

She chuckled.

“Mr Romantic.” She said.

He blushed.

She stood slowly and went over to the shelf unit. He stood up and moved behind her.

“No.” he said.

“No what?” she turned and asked.

“I’ll get it.” he murmured stretching up and collecting her storage box form the top shelf.

“Stop protecting me.” She grinned at him and watched as he placed it on the table. She opened it and he looked on as she put in her things, the battered small jewellery box, and a couple of books. She glanced at him and handed him her Wordsworth book that her father gave to her.

“I want you to have this.” She told him.

“I can’t.” he said, knowing how precious it was to her.

She smiled.

“You have to take it I wrote something inside for you.” She kissed him and placed the book in his hands. “Don’t read it now. Save it for the day after I leave.”

He looked at her wondering if her should tell her that she might be carrying his child, but the guilt that he had deliberately not used anything stopped him. He would have to tell her and then she would be hurt of disappointed. She had trusted him and he had broken that trust.

“Ok.” he agreed.

She gave him his notebook too.

He grinned at her.

“Did you look in it?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“I only opened it at the back to put my contact details. It’s private.” She murmured.

He kissed her.

“I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to.” He said softly.

She shook her head.

“No it’s yours.” She murmured.

He looked disappointed for a spit second and she laughed at him.

“I don’t need to read it to know what you feel for me.” She told him putted her hand to the dog tags.

He smiled slowly.

“If you really want me to I’ll read it.” she told him. “But on our wedding night.” She added.

“I think you be doing lots of other things then and far too busy to read a book.”

“Are you really sure about that because I can multitask you know!” she grinned.

“Oh I’m very sure.” He said and picked her up pressing her against him and kissing her passionately as though he never wanted the kiss to stop.

She wound her arms around him and clung to him as a sob went through her.

”It won’t be long.” He said. “I’ll come home I have loads of leave I can use and then we can talk and sort out what we are doing.” He told her.

“I know.” She said. “I’m just not looking forward to dealing with everything back home and not having you there.”

“I can put in a leave chit and get home for the funeral.” He said.

She shook her head.

“A few days and then gone again. It’ll be better to wait and see if I come back.” She said trying to plan everything. “If the newspaper want to send me somewhere else it will give us a chance to see what it is like to be apart.” She said trying to put a positive spin on things.

He grinned at her.

“We’re going to make this work aren’t we?” he asked.

She nodded.

“I need you Roman Harris and I’m not letting you go.” She murmured. “But obviously not in a mad stalker kind of way”

He chuckled, he was the one who was still holding her.

“I think I might like to be stalked by you.” He said softly.

They started as a knock sounded at the door and he lowered her to her feet.

“Yes?” she said moving over to the door and opening it.

“I’m here to tell you Ma’am that we have an opening for you on tomorrow’s flight.” The admin clerk told her.

She cast a horrified look at Roman before nodding.

“What time?” she asked.

“We will need you to be on the flight line at 06:00 hours.” He said. “I’m very sorry about your brother Ma’am.” He told her.

“Thank you. I’ll be there. Is there any paperwork I need to collect?” she asked him.

He stood up straighter as though he had only just seen the LT standing behind her.

“We will have that for you tomorrow am.” He said quickly.

She nodded.

“Thank you.” She said again.

He nodded and turned and left.

She looked at Roman and tried to smile but already the pressure of their separation was telling not to mention the imminent confrontation with her parents.

“It will be ok.” he said softly and held out his hand to her.

She ran to him needing his embrace.

“I know.” She said quickly. “Come on soldier help me get packed and then we can have the rest of the night to do something else.”

His eyes lit up.

“I meant get some food and have a drink. I’d like to see Jacko and the others too.” She told him with a grin.

He looked down at her and captured her face between his hands.

“You contact me if it gets too much and I will come to you.” He said. “Promise me?”

She nodded.

“I’ll be fine. I have to be strong for Jennie.” She said, but they both knew that she was lying.

He helped her put the rest of the things she was taking in the storage box and she packed her clothes leaving out the ones she was going to wear travelling.

Then they looked a t each and walked out to the dorm. She waited outside while he stowed his things along with the projector and the cool box.

He found himself looking at the empty bunk that had belonged to Mike and had to stop himself from groaning. Someone would fill it soon and life would go on. He looked up and saw Jacko watching him.

“LT.” He said softly.

“She’s on a flight tomorrow.” Roman told him. “She wanted to know if you’ll come for a drink with us.”

Jacko nodded.

“We’ll meet you in the bar for a drink or two.” Jacko grinned.

Roman looked at him for a moment but made no further comment. He stood and walked back out.

“Hey, can I show you a good time LT?” she asked with a grin.

He smiled at her and put his arm round her shoulders leading her away to the mess hall. They grabbed some food before heading to the bar to join up with Jacko, Pete and James.

“No Gardy?” Roman asked, unaware of her tensing beside him at the name.

“Nope.” Jacko said quickly, offering no excuse.

They took the vacant seats.

“Whose round LT?” Pete asked him.

“Well that hint was subtle.” Roman said with a grin.

She laughed.

“I’ll go.” She told them.

She walked to the bar and spoke to the barman. He nodded and switched on the juke box putting on INXS. She grinned and took the tray of drinks to the table.

She handed out the beers and the whiskey chasers to them before putting her drink in front of her. She moved an extra chair to the table and placed the final drink, a shot of tequila in front of the empty chair.

“My dad was in Nam.” She began. “They had a tradition of pouring out a last drink for their fallen comrade and leaving it undrunk.” She told them. “This is for my brother who got stupid drunk on tequila when he was 13.” She looked at their faces and drank down her shot of vodka.

Roman took hold of her hand and downed his shot of whisky. The others followed.

They talked of normal things after that just like they would have done before. She waited until Roman went to get the next round and she looked at Jacko.

“Don’t say it girlie, of course we’ll take care of him. I don’t know the full story but I reckon you are going to have it hard enough over the next few weeks without worrying about him.” he said to her gently.

She nodded slowly and made sure she was smiling by the time Roman came back.

He looked at them and sat down putting the tray in the centre.

“I hope you don’t mind if we go now.” He turned to her.

She grinned.

“I do need an early night.” She said innocently.

He looked at her.

“Of course that is what I am thinking off.” He grinned.

She blushed.

“Uh huh. Come on Mister.” She said to him tugging his hand.

He grinned at the others before standing and walking out with her.

Jacko looked a t Pete.

“He’s going to miss her like hell.” He told them.

“Ain’t we all?” Pete replied.

He took a drink of his beer.

[TelephotoMarigold]

She left him sleeping in the bed and eased on her clothes quietly, picking up the storage box and her backpack. She couldn’t tell him goodbye so she eased out of the room quietly.

Roman waited until he heard the door shutting before he opened his eyes. He knew that she would find it too hard to tell him goodbye so he let her think she was leaving him asleep in her bed. He inhaled and smelt her perfume clinging to his skin. He took hold of the pillow and held it for a long time. He knew she wasn’t going to call him no matter how bad it got back home and he was tempted to say to hell with it and put in for leave anyway. He had the feeling though that would only make things worse. He stayed there for a long time, part of him listening for the sound of the plane taking off. He rolled over and saw the silky wrap she wore had been left on the end of the bed and he wondered if she would miss it. He climbed out of the bed and stretched before pulling on his uniform. He folded up the wrap and left it on the edge of the bed. He went out and put the padlock on the door and made his way slowly to the dorm.

Ella sat on the plane and waited for it to take off. She looked at the man sitting opposite her and tried to smile. She wanted to turn and get off the plane and go back to him. This was too hard. They were asking too much of her. She took a deep breath and felt the rumble of the engines starting and knew she had left it too late. She bent her head as she began to cry.

Roman found himself going to their spot by the runway. He saw the plane taxi out and stop on the flight line. He lowered his head unable to watch her take off.

Ella looked up and wiped her eyes.

“I’m sorry Miss.” The flight Sargent was saying to her.

She looked up and focused on him.

“We’ve developed a technical fault with one of the engines. I’m afraid this flight has been cancelled and we will need to put you on one day after tomorrow.” He said.

She nodded.

They were unloaded with their luggage. She saw her brothers coffin come out of the back and she lowered her head as it was taken back into the hanger.

The flight Sargent came over to her and helped her to the hanger. She kept her backpack with her but left the rest of her things after he promised to make sure it would be taken care off. She walked out of the hanger and made her way to the place she knew he would be.

Roman lifted his head and looked across at the airfield. He could swear he hadn’t heard the plane take off but it was gone from the runway. He turned his head and saw her.

“Ella?” he questioned, not believing his eyes.

“Technical fault with the engine. We have two more days.” She told him.

He went over to her and picked her up holding her against him.

“Oh god, that was so hard letting you go.” He muttered. “I don’t know if I can do it again.”

“I know.” She said. “I sat on the plane and I was about to get off and come back to you when they shut the door.”

“Ella, let put in leave and come with you.” He said.

She nodded.

“And we can go to a registry office and do something else.” She grinned.

“No big fluffy dress?” he asked.

“No.” she said. ”Just you and me forever.” She looked at him and he pulled her to him for another earth shaking kiss.

“Unless you want the whole thing?” she asked.

He shook his head.

“No just you and me and a couple of witnesses.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Perfect.” She said.

Jacko and Pete were lying on their bunks grinning.

“What are you guys grinning for?” James asked them walking in and sitting on his own bunk.

“Nothing.” Jacko said with a snigger.

“We just did some work on an engine.” Pete added with a laugh.

She waited while he was in with his commanding officer. She heard the murmur of voices cease and he stepped out.

“What?” she asked looking at his face.

“Our unit is being sent out next week so no leave.” He told her.

She shook her head.

“Did you tell him we wanted to get married?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Permission denied.” He grimaced.

“What? They are going to stop us?” she muttered.

Roman grinned and caught hold of her as she went to walk past him and into his commanding officers office.

“Ella.” He said softly. “Punching my commanding officer won’t actually help the situation.” He said. “I don’t need permission to get married. Just the leave bit. We could get married here.”

She looked at him.

“Really?” she asked.

He nodded.

“That base chaplain. If we explain the situation.”

She nodded again.

“I could speak to my father about your leave see if there is anything he could do.” She suggested.

He grinned.

“You can try it I suppose but don’t pin your hopes on me getting to come with you.” He shrugged. “We’ll have to make the most of these two days.”

She looked at him and saw the glint in his eye.

“Oh.” She said.

He chuckled.

“Shall we go see the Base Chaplain now?” he asked her.

She shook her head and took hold of his hand and led him back to her tent.

[TelephotoMarigold]

For Louise and Pollymoon....

“So tell me what brings you two to see me?” The Chaplain asked.

They looked at each other and grinned.

“We want to get married.” Roman said softly.

He reached out and took hold of her hand. She grinned at him.

“I can tell that you care for each other very much but are you sure you want to take this commitment?” he asked.

She nodded.

Roman looked at her and smiled.

“Oh yes.” He said.

“And when were you thinking of doing this?” he asked them.

“Today.” Ella replied. “I have today and tomorrow and then I have to go home. So we need this today.”

He nodded at them.

“Perhaps you should tell me more.” He suggested.

Ella looked at Roman. He smiled back at her and put his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer to him as she explained. She told him falteringly that she only had two days because she was taking her brothers body home and Roman wanted to come with her but was unable to on account of his leave being denied.

He smiled at them.

“I can do a marriage blessing for you but it won’t be a legal ceremony.” He told them softly. “Unfortunately there are channels I have to go through that simply can’t be bypassed, especially in two days.”

Ella smiled and looked into Roman’s eyes.

“A marriage blessing would be perfect.” She said to him.

Roman leaned forward and kissed her.

“Please.” He said to the Chaplain. “Even if it is just the words we would be grateful.”

“Can you come back at 2pm?” he asked them and turning to Roman, “That’s 14:00 in your world Lieutenant.”

Ella chuckled.

“We’ll be here.” She confirmed.

She and Roman walked out of the chapel and went towards their spot near the airfield. They were still holding hands as if they never wanted to let go of each other.

“I keep thinking that we have to cram everything into these two days but its not two days we have the rest of our lives together.” Roman said softly.

“I know. It’s going to hurt to walk away from you again.” She murmured sadly.

He grinned at her.

“But at least we know that it is only temporary, it felt like it was going to be forever last time I watched you go. I’ve been thinking I’m going to resign my commission. They’ll have to let me go home then.”

“Ok, first, I knew you weren’t asleep and to think I wriggled into those clothes for nothing.”

“Oh it wasn’t for nothing, I enjoyed it.”

She hit him in the ribs.

“And second?” he asked.

“Don’t be a bloody fool. I can’t support us and we have nowhere to live. Doing that now won’t solve anything.”

“I can get another job and I have savings.” He said. “They will pay me lots of money when I leave.”

She looked at him.

“And housing is so cheap these days.” She muttered. “Plus what about your pension.”

He looked at her and grinned.

“Nice to know you are planning to be with me until I’m 60.” He said.

“Where will we live?” she muttered folding her arms across her chest. “What happened to taking the time to figure this stuff out.”

“Well I’ve taken the last twenty minutes.” He said quickly.

“You…” she muttered angrily.

She turned and walked away.

“Ella” he called.

“Don’t follow me.” She replied and continued walking,

She made her way to the bar and ordered a coke. She was there for ten minutes when she saw Gardy come in. She shuddered as she felt his gaze on her.

“I knew I’d get you alone sooner or later. Those idiots couldn’t protect you all the time.” he sneered.

She turned and looked at him.

“I don’t need protection from you you're nothing.” She muttered to him angrily.

He reached out and grabbed hold of her arm pulling her towards him. Instead of pulling away like he expected she just laughed at him. He flinched.

“Wrong move Gardy.” She told him.

He stared at her and unprepared for her knee to connect with a certain part of his anatomy. He let her go in shock as the pain washed over him.

“Stay away from me.” She hissed and poured her drink over his head before she ran out of the bar.

She ran straight into Jacko who had to put his arms around her to stop her colliding into him.

“What’s going on girlie?” he asked looking at her face.

“Your mate.” She said breathing heavily.

“Gardy?” he asked and saw her nod. “Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head.

“What do you want to do?” he said softly. “You can make a complaint.”

She shook her head again.

“Chances are my newspaper won’t send me back out here so…” she trailed off as she saw Roman standing a little way off and was looking at them, a strange expression on his face. She realised then that all he could see was her standing there wrapped in Jacko’s arms.

She pulled away and went after him.

“Roman.” She called.

He turned back and looked at her before shaking his head and moving away.

“You need to tell him girlie, before he rips my head off.” Jacko came up behind her.

She shook her head.

“Dammit.” She swore. “Everything is going wrong and we only have two days.”

She turned to say something more but found that she burst into tears.

Jacko looked around to make sure Roman wasn’t in sight and took her cautiously back into his arms patting her awkwardly on her back. She was still crying ten minutes later despite Jacko telling her every clean joke he knew, and a few of the unclean ones.

She looked up when she heard Pete’s voice.

“So this would be the reason Roman just chewed my head off.” He said to them.

“Gardy tried again.” Jacko murmured. “So I was comforting her and the LT saw and well, he never really was any good at maths because he came up with five.”

Pete chuckled.

“Come on you lets get you to Roman.” Pete said to her.

She nodded and wiped her eyes.

Pete took her over to the area by the flight line and she saw Roman sitting there just like before. He gave her a little push.

“Roman.” She said quietly.

He looked up and saw her there, Pete and Jacko standing a little way behind her.

“I was upset he was comforting me.” She said.

He nodded and held out his hand.

She ran to him putting her hand in his.

He held her for a long time.

“It’s all too much isn’t it?” he asked her softly.

She nodded.

“We’re trying to make decisions about the rest of our lives Roman and really we don’t know that much about each other.”

He looked at her.

“Do you still…” he began to ask.

“Yes. I do. But about leaving the army and finding somewhere to live and what we are doing next, well, deciding that now is madness. I’m 19 and I’ve just lost my brother. As much as I love you and want you I don't know if being with you is right now because what I feel is overpowering me.” She told him and saw him flinch. “But yes I still want to go ahead with that thing this afternoon because I know that if I let any doubts stop me I will regret not doing for the rest of my life.”

He smiled slowly and kissed her.

He waited by the altar. The chaplain looked at him He’d put on the suit he taken with them to the hotel determined not to marry correction, get blessed in army fatigues. He waited for Ella.

He looked at his watch and sighed. It was 2:20. She was late. He told himself that brides were supposed to be late. He sighed. When it got to 3 o’clock he sat down and put his head in his hands.

She walked through the door and saw him there. The Chaplain sitting beside him.

“Hey.” She said.

Roman looked up.

“I know traditionally brides are supposed to be late and then there is diabolically late but seriously this one has a very good excuse.” She told him softly walking towards him

She was wearing a long floaty white dress with silver embroidery on it. She had the shawl he’d bought her around her shoulders and some flowers in her hair.

She stepped up beside him and held out her hand.

He smiled at her and she grinned back.

“I was on the phone to my father, he’s arranging with your CO for you to get leave. It may not be in a couple of days but he’s going to try and get you home. He is also going to speak to my editor and tell him that I’ve said even with the loss of my brother I’m happy to come back and finish out the year.” Her voice broke slightly when she mentioned her brother.

He kissed her.

“You are forgiven for being diabolically late.” He told her softly.

“Are you ready?” The Chaplain asked.

They nodded simultaneously and laughed.

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to provide a Blessing on the union of this couple, Roman and Elizabeth. They have made a long lasting commitment to each other that will in time be sanctified by holy matrimony. On many solemn occasions I have had the opportunity to join numerous couples in a holy bond but I have never witnessed the excitement and joy and profound love that have been displayed here today.” The Chaplain spoke the words and Roman and Ella looked deep into each other’s eyes and held hands.

“Please both of you repeat after me. I take you to be my partner to cherish for all of our days to hold in our hearts above all else.”

Roman looked at her and his hands shook as he began to speak.

“I take you to be my partner to cherish for all of our days to hold in my heart above all else.”

She smiled at him.

“I take you to be my partner to cherish for all of our days to hold in my heart above all else.”

“I declare that your union is now blessed. You may kiss her now.” The chaplain grinned.

Roman put his arms around her and kissed her and she melted against him.

Pete looked at Jacko.

They had known something had been going on so they had sneaked into the back of the chapel.

“You ain’t crying are you?” he asked him.

“No just got some dust in my eye.” Jacko denied.

Pete chuckled.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Ella made him wait outside while she freshened up and sorted out the tent. She lit candles around the tent and peeled back the bed covers, plumping up the pillows and cushions. She stepped over to the door and opened it.

He stood there and motioned for her to step outside.

“What?” she asked.

He gestured again and she took a hesitant step towards him.

Grinning he swept her into his arms and using his foot to open the door and carry her through it.

“I had to carry my bride over the threshold.” He told her softly.

She grinned.

He lowered her to her feet by the side of the bed her body rubbing against his slowly. He moaned and lowered his head to hers and kissed her gently.

“I need you so much.” She told him.

He smiled and looked deep into her eyes.

“Not as much as I need you.” He whispered.

He removed his jacket and draped it over a chair, pulling his tie loose. She watched his striptease unashamedly getting more and more turned on. He unbuttoned the shirt and eased it off revealing his muscular chest and toned biceps. She stared at him as he reached for the belt at his waist, her tongue slipped between her lips as she moistened a suddenly dry mouth. She breathed out slowly watching fascinated as he undid the belt and then his trousers. He pushed them down his taut thighs and she moaned as he revealed how turned on he was.

“I need you naked.” He told her with a grin, taking off his trousers.

She turned and lifted her hair up.

He pulled on the ties of her dress and bent his head to kiss her neck. She moaned again. The dress fell down freeing her breasts to his touch. He cupped them in his hands drawing her back against him. He kept one hand on her breast rubbing and cupping it while he pushed the dress down. He saw that she hadn’t worn underwear and his breath escaped in a frantic hiss.

“Oh god Ella.” He said.

She moved suddenly stepping out of her dress and lying on the bed. He almost ripped his underwear in an effort to get naked. He sheathed himself and moved towards her.

“I love you Roman.” she told him.

“I love you.” He said kissing her.

They joined together moving as one as he slid slowly inside her.

“I want you.” He said looking into her eyes. “My wife.”

She giggled.

“Ok, hun, you need to know that giggling while we are making love is not a good thing.” He murmured kissing her.

She wrapped her arms around him.

“So no giggling, and no asking if it is in yet. Ok.”

He growled and rolled them over in the small bed.

She pushed herself up and moved slowly, rocking against him.

“Oh god my wife that feels incredible.” He groaned.

She lowered her head and kissed him.

“Call me that again.” She said breathlessly.

“My wife.” He said.

He put his hands in her hair and pulled her head down to kiss her again.

“My beautiful wife.” He whispered against her lips. “I want to make love to you forever.”

She grinned.

“I’m yours my husband.” She said softly and kissed him, her hands stroking him all over as she moved against him passionately.

[TelephotoMarigold]

He stood with her on the flight line waiting for her flight to be called. He held her in his arms. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to see her for another two months despite his leave being sorted it would still take time for him to get home.

“Soon.” She said. “And I want a big diamond and wedding ring.”

He chuckled.

“Uh huh.” He said to her.

“No fluffy dress and tonnes of bridesmaids?” he asked

She shook her head at him.

“Nope just us, a couple of witnesses and Jennie and my dad if he can make it.” she grinned at him.

The grin faded as she realised how easily she’d got used to her brother being gone.

He pulled her closer to him.

“What about your family?” she asked.

He shook his head and then remembered his daughter Nicole. Yeah, he would love her to be there even though he doubted she would be and then felt guilt that he still hadn’t told her about Nicole.

He leaned down and kissed her again.

She moved into his arms and held him.

“That was a record wasn’t it?” she said to him. “I didn’t think so many times in one night was possible.”

He blushed and checking that they weren’t overheard.

“For me that was a record.” He said with a grin.

“Hey, for me too.” She mumbled wishing she hadn’t mentioned it.

“It had better be.” He grumbled jealously.

“Ha.” She muttered.

He kissed her again before looking into her eyes.

“I need to spend time with Jennie or I wouldn’t go you know that right?” she asked him.

“Ella I love you and we will be together soon.” He smiled at her.

“Ms Addison.” Her name was called and she looked up. “We are ready for you.” She was told.

She sighed and looked at him.

Roman smiled at her and leaned forward so that his mouth was next to her ear.

“Soon be Mrs Harris.” He said and she smiled even as she wiped away a tear.

“I like the sound of that soldier.” She said to him.

She picked up her backpack and moved away from him.

She paused at the door before going out and winked at him.

They had agreed not to say goodbye, feeling the single word too final. He stayed there a long time looking out as he saw her board the plane and then as it took off. He tried to ignore the sick feeling in the bottom of his stomach but it refused to go away. He turned away and went across the compound and into the dorm. He opened his locker and pulled out the Wordsworth book.

“In case I didn’t tell you I love you.” She had written. He turned the page and she’d written it on the next page too. He grinned as he flicked through the entire book before he found the words written on the last page. “Hope you read some of the poetry too!”

He turned to the front and lay back on the bed and started reading.