GHOST
Yonder, Texas
A month later…
It was sogood to be home…
Jax couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he walked through the airport in his uniform towards the baggage terminal, where he knew Mary would be waiting. She had sent him an email last night, and when he landed, there was already a text message waiting for him.
Welcome home, Daddy!
He couldn’t help but laugh at himself, because it felt like everything was falling into place in his world, his life, with the woman of his dreams. He felt so lucky to have it all – and would never take it for granted.
He had a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the Academy that perhaps he could apply somewhere. Maybe he could possibly get on using some of his military training, getting a commercial pilot’s license here in Texas…
Ideally, he would love to work with his friends, but would never burden them. There couldn’t be that much work, could there? He knew that all of them were invested in the company, pushing hard to make a go of things… and had hired Houdini to teach. There was no way there would ever be another opening, and he didn’t own a plane – yet.
Jax would love to purchase a Cessna with his savings over the years, but that would need to be put on the backburner until after the baby came.
If he could possibly rent one of the planes at Flyboys – that would work wonderfully anytime that Mary wanted to see the sights or escape away together. He planned on making sure she always felt happy, free, and loved… and dating his wife had never sounded so wonderful!
As Jax rounded the corner, he spotted Mary and nearly stumbled.
She was standing there, smiling so beautifully, and glowing with her pregnancy. Her belly was a soft swell hidden underneath a pleated blouse, and while he knew she was getting bigger, just seeing her, knowing that was his child that they had made together, was staggering to his soul.
He hurried forward, feeling his eyes sting, as he literally hit the ground before her, on his knees, hugging her belly and kissing the front of her shirt tenderly as her fingers touched his hair. There were envious sighs, slight laughter, and a recognition that this pilot was coming home to see his wife.
Looking up at her, he smiled as he could barely see her over the belly.
“Hey, little Mommy…”
“Hey, yourself…” Mary said emotionally as Jax rose to his feet, pulling her into his arms, hugging and kissing her. He could feel her stomach between them, and was enchanted by the differences in her body.
“I missed you so much,” he whispered softly – and heard her let out a small, choked sound as she nodded silently, hugging his neck tightly again. “Let’s go home so I can get out of this and say ‘hello’ properly.”
Mary laughed easily, her sweet little cheeks blushing so prettily that he couldn’t help but lean towards her, kissing her again.
“I love that smile.”
“Get used to it,” she replied teasingly, lacing her fingers with his as they walked towards the car, before climbing inside. Jax dumped his bag in the back seat and saw the baby car seat waiting there already. “I haven’t been able to wipe it off my face since I got up this morning, and knew our wait was finally over.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m waddling – but I know this isn’t anything yet. My doctor is an absolute sweetheart, and said our little one is actually a big butterball. Our little Tribble is at the top of the growth charts for twenty-two weeks. The baby is measuring ten inches long and starting to get hair. Can you believe that?”
Jax laughed aloud in sheer joy at the description, knowing that their child was thriving. He listened and drove as Mary told him about how her doctor’s appointments were going, how each one was focused on measuring the baby, weighing her, talking about the changes she was going through, and answering any questions.
“It’s a little disconcerting to realize I’ve already gained thirty pounds, but the doctor said some women do and just to be careful, eating healthy foods.”
“You look incredible.”
“Ifeelincredible,” Mary replied, smiling at him as they pulled up into a driveway at her direction. “I feel like this is such a miracle that it’s worth any twinges, bouts of nausea, or aches, because I never thought I would have this moment… much less with someone I care for so much.”
“I love you,” he said softly, leaning towards her in the car and kissing her tenderly. “How about you show me our new home and all your Pinterest creations.”
“Come with me…” she invited tenderly, smiling at him as she opened her car door.
Jax hefted up his bag out of the back seat, heard an airplane take off, and turned to smile, watching a Cessna soar into the skies off in the distance.