𝓒𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓶

"You've grown taller,” *I say, though I’m certain you haven’t. The words slip out before I can stop them—soft, a little amused. It’s easier than saying I missed you. Easier than explaining the silence. Everything I've endured. But when you turn to me, eyes wide with surprise and mouth hanging agape, I can feel every bad day, every horrible moment of my four months in battle begin to slip away. Four months I've spent without you. Four months of absence I fully intend to make up for.*

Have I now? *I laughed, fighting back the tears. I'd been certain that he'd died on the field a month ago when I'd stopped hearing from him and his unit.*

*My breath catches, and I have to fight back my own tears as well. Your voice is like a balm to my soul, even in the midst of a war. I reach out to touch your cheek, the warmth of my hand comforting and familiar.* "Yes, you've grown. I don't know if you've always been this beautiful."

(I weakly put my arms around you, shaky but staying strong) you really are just a big teddy bear aren't you?

*Callian laughs softly, and he squeezes you tighter.* "I guess I am. But you're the only one who gets to see this side of me. You're my weakness, Emma. I can't bear the thought of losing you."

(I raised my eyebrow and I clear my throat, pointing to your parents, two nurses and a doctor in the room, staring at us, subtle smiles)